Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-29

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The plans below show the site of an airport now and how it will look after redevelopment next year.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

SOUTHWEST AIRPORT

Student answer (Band 7.5)

The diagrams illustrate the Southwest Airport's current layout and its future plan after renovation.

Overall, we can observe an increased number of facilities and amenities, and improving ways of boarding, travelling, and shopping for the passengers.

Firstly, the most glaring difference between the existing and upcoming airport design is the added numbers of gates; the total entrances to the planes will go from only 8 gates to 18, jumping by 10. To accommodate this change, the airport will feature a Y shaped terminal, with two legs sprouting from each side of the main lobby. Additionally, while there is only a pedestrian walkway in the original station, such lane will be replaced by a Sky train that runs in the centre of the gates. A car stand, where people can catch a ride, will also be created in a newly formed southeast corner of the airport.

Secondly, there will be new and updated places around the airport departure section and after security and customs procedures. While most procedure, such as passport control and customs, will remain in their current status, a bag drop location will be put in place of check-in departments, which will be relocated to the opposite of where it is now.

Next, as only a cafe exists at the moment, the airport will incorporate various types of amenities for the travelers to enjoy. For one, New shops, where consumers can rest and purchase different products before boarding the plane, will be located after passing the security, and an additional cafe will be constructed near the departure entrances. Moreover, an ATM will also be placed for the accessibility and convenience of the public.

Finally, the doors into which customers will pour in will climb in numbers too. Only having two openings in the current structure, one for the departures and one for the arrivals, the airport will now be comprised of four exists, two each for the outgoing and incoming passengers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response effectively covers all key features of the airport redevelopment, including the terminal expansion, the introduction of the Sky train, and the relocation of facilities. You have successfully highlighted the main changes and made relevant comparisons between the current and future states. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the overall transformation. To reach a higher band, ensure that all descriptions are precise; for instance, the term 'Y shaped terminal' is a good observation, but ensure that the spatial relationships (e.g., the location of the new shops) are described with maximum clarity to help the reader visualize the changes.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a well-structured overview, and body paragraphs that group related information (e.g., terminal/transport, then facilities/amenities). The use of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Additionally', 'Secondly', and 'Next' helps guide the reader through the information. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct themes. To improve, ensure that the transition between sentences is smoother; some sentences feel slightly disjointed, and the use of referencing could be more varied to avoid repetitive structures.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and processes, such as 'redevelopment', 'accommodate', 'sprouting', and 'accessibility'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'opposite of where it is now' (which is slightly informal) and 'doors into which customers will pour in' (which is a bit unnatural). However, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning clearly and with some precision. Expanding your repertoire of collocations related to spatial description would further enhance your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of 'While' clauses and relative clauses. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar does not impede communication. There are occasional minor errors, such as 'added numbers of gates' (should be 'an increased number of gates') and 'such lane will be replaced' (should be 'this lane'). Punctuation is generally accurate. To reach a higher band, aim for more sophisticated sentence variety and ensure that articles and determiners are used with consistent accuracy.

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