Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-17

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 given illustration helps us to visualize the changes to an airport that will be made after 1 year.

Things that will change after an year include the number of gates; as well as, a lot of new things such as a cafe, an atm and some other places as well.

Currently, the airport has 8 gates. It has a check-in area to the left when you enter the departures area. Additionally, the same block also has a cafe to the right. There is also a walkway which people use to get to the gates.

After the redevelopment, the airport will have 18 number of gates as compared to current 8 gates. Moreover, the check-in area will be shifted to the current cafe's area. Furthermore, sky train service is introduced so people can reach the gates faster and conveniently. The new airport will also include a bag drop area, an atm and a car hire place.

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 bag drop area. However, the report lacks a clear overview or summary paragraph, which is essential for Task 1. The description is somewhat list-like and misses opportunities to synthesize information or make more sophisticated comparisons. While the key changes are identified, the lack of a formal introduction and a distinct overview paragraph prevents the response from reaching a higher band. To improve, ensure you include a clear summary of the most significant trends or changes in the first or second paragraph.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the current state to the future state. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'Additionally', 'Moreover', 'Furthermore'). The transition between the current layout and the future layout is clear, but the overall flow could be improved by using more varied linking phrases to connect ideas within paragraphs. The paragraphing is logical, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be more cohesive to better link the specific features mentioned.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe the airport features clearly. However, the range is limited and relies on basic descriptors. Phrases like 'a lot of new things' and 'some other places' are imprecise and lack the academic tone required for IELTS Task 1. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or precise collocations related to map description. To achieve a higher score, the student should aim to use more specific terminology, such as 'expanded', 'relocated', or 'integrated', rather than simple verbs like 'shifted' or 'introduced'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'after an year' (should be 'after a year') and '18 number of gates' (redundant phrasing). Punctuation is generally functional, but the use of semicolons and commas is occasionally awkward, such as in the second paragraph. While the meaning is clear, the control over complex structures is inconsistent. Increasing the variety of sentence types and ensuring subject-verb agreement will help improve the accuracy and range of the writing.

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

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