Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-14
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 pictorial representation showcase the current condition of the Southwest Airport and also forecasts the changes to be observed after redevelopment next year.
Overall, a major difference to be made in the next upcoming time is imagined of the gateways, however there are just 8 in the present time but they are assumed to be 18 in future.
At the first glance, the first modification can be seen in the terms of shops as there is no place for shopping in the current times. Second most development to be done is for the facility of car hire as it is unavailable right now. In addition, there are sky trains to reach the terminals in the substitution of walkways.
Another alterations like bag drops are expected in the future, whereas some areas are left to remain same as they were like the position of departure and arrival entrance, check-in office and cafe . One ATM is also provided for the travelers of future.
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
The response covers the main features of the airport redevelopment, such as the increase in gates, the addition of shops, car hire, and sky trains. However, the report lacks a clear overview of the most significant changes, and the description of the layout is somewhat disjointed. While the key features are identified, the comparison between the current and future states could be more precise. For example, stating 'some areas are left to remain same' is vague; specifying that the departure/arrival entrances and check-in areas remain unchanged would have been more effective. The response addresses the task requirements but lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly unnatural, such as 'At the first glance' and 'Second most development to be done'. The transition between ideas is occasionally abrupt, and the referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the sentence 'Another alterations like bag drops are expected'. While the overall progression is logical, the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and better referencing to connect the current and future states more smoothly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks precision and variety. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice, such as 'in the next upcoming time', 'in the substitution of walkways', and 'Another alterations'. These errors occasionally make the text sound unnatural. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise terminology related to maps and diagrams, such as 'expansion', 'relocation', or 'installation', and ensure that collocations are accurate. The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, but it does not demonstrate the flexibility required for a higher score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Examples include 'The pictorial representation showcase' (subject-verb agreement), 'there are just 8 in the present time' (awkward phrasing), and 'some areas are left to remain same as they were' (missing articles and awkward structure). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are noticeable and occur regularly. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, the correct use of articles, and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed accurately without awkward phrasing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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