Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-09

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 diagrams below illustrate the current layout of an airport and proposed redevelopment plan for next year .

Overall, an airport is set to undergo extensive transformation in next year. There will be introduction of new amenities along with more gates.

Currently , There are check-in and cafe when you enter through departures. On the right side there is entrance for arrivals .You can see customs and passport controls on both departures and arrivals. There are only 8 gates in total with 2 walkways.

According to redevelopment plan, There will be more entrances for arrivals and departures . There will be introduction of cafe , ATM, and car hires on the arrival side including more entrances for arrivals. while, cafe and check-in on departure side will be relocated on the east and south-west side respectively with the introduction of bag drop station on the west side. Security , passport control and customs will remain unchanged. New shops and sky train will be added in the development plan. Number of gates will be increased to 18.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the airport redevelopment, including the increase in gates and the addition of new facilities. However, the analysis is somewhat descriptive rather than analytical. While you mention the relocation of the cafe and check-in, you could improve by more clearly contrasting the 'before' and 'after' states to highlight the scale of the change. The overview is present but could be more concise. You have successfully identified the key changes, such as the sky train and the increase in gates, which satisfies the requirements for a Band 6.5 or 7.0, but the lack of a more sophisticated comparison keeps it at a 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the current state to the future plan. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical. For instance, the transition 'while, cafe and check-in' is grammatically awkward and disrupts the flow. Additionally, the paragraphing could be improved by separating the overview more distinctly from the body paragraphs. The referencing is generally clear, but the lack of varied linking words makes the text feel a bit repetitive. Improving the variety of transition signals would elevate this score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the airport features, such as 'redevelopment', 'amenities', 'relocated', and 'transformation'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'There will be introduction of' (missing articles) and 'car hires' (should be 'car hire' or 'car rental services'). The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and ensuring articles are used correctly with nouns.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several recurring grammatical errors, particularly with articles (e.g., 'in next year', 'on arrival side') and capitalization (e.g., 'There' appearing mid-sentence). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. You have attempted some complex structures, but they are often marred by minor errors. Focusing on proofreading for basic article usage and sentence-level punctuation would significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.

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

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