Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-06

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 plans illustrates about the current map of the Southwest airport and how the updates will make it look next year.

Overall, we are expecting some significant additions in the airport including a bag drop, a car hire, an ATM and a sky train as well. The number of gates are expected to incrase from 8 to 18 while, some existing locations (check-in and cafe) are also going to change.

On the departures side, we currently have a cafe at the right and check-in at left. While after the redevelopment, we'll have a cafe and a bag drop on the left and check-in on left. We are alos expecting sky trains moving instead of walkways next year.

The arrivals side we have right now is pretty empty. However, the new arrivals side will have a plenty of options. We'll see a cafe on this side as well. An ATM and a car hire is being added too. Additionally, the building will be also changed a bit for car hire.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the airport redevelopment, such as the increase in gates and the addition of new facilities like the sky train and car hire. However, the description of the layout changes is somewhat confusing and lacks precision. For instance, stating that the check-in is on the 'left' both before and after the redevelopment makes it difficult for the reader to visualize the actual change. The overview is present but could be more analytical by grouping features more effectively. To reach a higher band, ensure that comparisons are clear and that the spatial descriptions are accurate based on the provided visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. There is a clear introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for departures and arrivals. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive (e.g., 'on the... side'). Some transitions between sentences feel abrupt, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the vague mention of the building being 'changed a bit'. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between ideas would enhance the flow of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe the airport features. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'updates' instead of 'redevelopments' or 'modifications'. There are also minor spelling errors like 'incrase' and 'alos'. To improve, the student should aim to use more precise terminology related to maps and diagrams, such as 'relocated', 'expanded', 'transformed', or 'integrated', rather than relying on basic verbs like 'change' or 'look'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The number of gates are expected', 'An ATM and a car hire is being added') and minor punctuation or prepositional errors. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage when describing future changes would be beneficial.

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