Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-08

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 6.0)

The diagram compares how the site of Southwest airport looks at present and how it will look next year after redevelopment.

Overall, the area of Southwest airport will be extended after redevelopment takes place. Moreover, as per the map it is showcased that new features will be added in future.

There is an increase in number of arrivals and departure gates than present. To the left of departure gate is a Check-in point which will be shifted to right side. An additional bag drop point will be added to left of departures. The cafe is present on the right side of departures but it will soon be shifted to the left near the gate. At the right of arrivals gate a cafe, an ATM and a car hire will open. The security passport control and passport control customs are positioned same as present.

Currently the airport has 8 gates which are spreaded in a rectangular shape but the airport will add another 10 more gates which will be placed in a Y shape. The walkway which is present between 1-3 gate will be removed in future and a sky train will be placed between the Y shaped gates. At present, the airport doesn't have any shop but shops will be added in future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all key features of the airport redevelopment, including the expansion of gates, the addition of new facilities like shops, and the relocation of existing services. The overview is clear and highlights the main trend of expansion. However, the description of the layout changes is occasionally slightly confusing; for example, the description of the 'Y' shape and the movement of the cafe could be more precise. While the main features are identified, the report would benefit from a more structured approach to grouping the changes (e.g., terminal facilities vs. gate layout) to ensure a more logical flow of information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction and overview. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Currently', and 'In future' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the referencing of locations (e.g., 'to the left of departure gate') is sometimes repetitive. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the connection between the current state and the future state could be smoother in the second paragraph to avoid a list-like feel. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate and supports the development of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with terms like 'redevelopment', 'showcased', and 'positioned' used correctly. There are some minor errors in word choice and form, such as 'spreaded' (should be 'spread') and 'in number of' (should be 'in the number of'). The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the necessary information, but it lacks the more sophisticated, precise terminology that would elevate the response to a higher band. Using more varied verbs to describe spatial changes, such as 'relocated', 'integrated', or 'extended', would improve the lexical quality.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies. For instance, 'as per the map it is showcased' is slightly awkward, and 'spreaded' is a non-standard verb form. There are also minor issues with article usage and prepositional phrasing. Despite these errors, the grammar does not impede communication. To reach a higher band, the student should focus on reducing these small errors and incorporating a wider variety of complex sentence structures with greater accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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