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 a 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, including the increase in gates, the relocation of the check-in area, and the addition of new facilities like the sky train and bag drop. 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, such as noting the overall expansion of the terminal footprint. While the key changes are identified, the lack of a distinct summary and the somewhat informal tone limit the score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay 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 introduction and the body paragraphs is abrupt. While the information is logically sequenced, the lack of a clear overview paragraph makes the overall structure feel incomplete. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved with more varied linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. Phrases like 'a lot of new things' are too informal and vague for an academic report. The student uses basic descriptors such as 'some other places' and 'current cafe's area'. To achieve a higher score, the student should use more specific terminology related to airport infrastructure, such as 'terminal expansion', 'relocated', 'integrated', or 'amenities'. Spelling is accurate, but the range of vocabulary is limited.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical issues, such as '18 number of gates' (redundant) and 'the current cafe's area' (awkward phrasing). Punctuation is generally functional, though the use of semicolons is sometimes misused or unnecessary. While the meaning is clear, the control over complex structures is inconsistent. The student should aim for more error-free sentences and avoid awkward phrasing to improve clarity and grammatical accuracy.

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

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