Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-04
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 5.5)
The given map depicts the site of an airport now and how will it look after redevelopment next year . It is evident that all the changes are made to make this airport more organized.
To commence with, it is noticeable that the airport is set to undergo a substantial transformation . At present the facilities are quite less there is a separate gate for departures and arrivals . At the departure there is security and passport control and at the arrivals passport controls and customs with cafe ,walkway .
Under the proposed plan the airport is likely to be expanded with a lot of establishment . The most notable changes are the number of gates will be been increased up to 18 . A lot of shops will be constructed at the departure area . Cafe will be relocated at the arrivals . A separate atm machine will be made . A sky train will be made so that the travellers no longer walk and go . A new car hire will be constructed .Check in , bad drop and cafes will also be constructed . Overall it is apparent that all the amendment will be made to make this airport more good
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
You have successfully identified the main features of the airport redevelopment, including the expansion of gates and the addition of new facilities like the sky train and car hire. However, the response lacks a clear overview that synthesizes the most significant changes, which is a requirement for a higher band. While you mention that changes are made to make the airport 'more organized,' this is a subjective observation rather than a summary of the data. To improve, ensure you group information logically—for example, by contrasting the current layout with the future layout—rather than listing features in a way that feels slightly disjointed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'To commence with,' 'Under the proposed plan'). The progression of ideas within paragraphs could be smoother; for instance, the transition between describing the current facilities and the future ones is abrupt. Additionally, some referencing is unclear, such as 'a lot of establishment,' which is not a standard way to refer to airport facilities. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision required for a higher band. You rely on basic descriptors like 'more good' and 'a lot of,' which are not appropriate for an academic report. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'a lot of establishment' and 'bad drop' (likely a typo for 'bag drop'). To reach a higher band, you should use more specific terminology related to airport infrastructure, such as 'terminal expansion,' 'amenities,' or 'infrastructure upgrades,' and avoid informal phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. For example, 'the number of gates will be been increased' is grammatically incorrect, and 'the facilities are quite less' is an unnatural way to express that there are few facilities. You also have issues with article usage and verb tense consistency. To improve, focus on mastering the passive voice, which is essential for describing processes and plans, and proofread carefully to eliminate basic errors in subject-verb agreement and word order.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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