Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-19
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)
It illustrate the layouts of southwest airport today and after development in the following year.
Overall, the airport has become more modern and bigger. By adding ten more gates and new facilities such as ATM, sky train and car hire.
Today, the airport is divided into two sections, one for departures and the other for arrivals.On the northwest corner of the entrance of departures, the check-in is situated. On the north-east corner, a cafe is located. There is a password control section and security if we walk towards from the entrance. There is a walkway which can be used for going to the eight gates which are positioned like on the three sides of rectangular. To leave the airport people go through passport control and customs before reaching the entrance.
It is planned to have two more doors on the each side of departure and arrival. The check-in-in area will be moved to the north-east corner and its location will be used for bag drop. While the cafe will be situated to the south-east corner. After going through security, there will be shopping area. There will be 18 gates in the airport positioned like “ Y” and in the merged line a sky train will be built. In the arrivals, a cafe and ATM will be opened on the south side. Moreover, an extended area on the south-east side will be used for car hiring.
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 plans, including the current layout and the proposed changes. You successfully identified key developments such as the increase in gates, the addition of a sky train, and the relocation of facilities. However, the overview is slightly weak; it lacks a clear summary of the most significant changes. While you mention the airport becomes 'more modern and bigger,' this could be more specific. Some details, such as the 'password control' (likely passport control) and the description of the gate layout, are slightly confusing, which hinders the clarity of the report. To improve, ensure you clearly contrast the 'before' and 'after' states in a more structured manner.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into 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 and occasionally repetitive. For instance, the transition between the current layout and the future plan could be smoother. Some sentences feel disjointed, and the referencing (e.g., 'its location') is occasionally ambiguous. Improving the use of linking words such as 'consequently,' 'furthermore,' or 'in contrast' would help create a more natural flow between ideas and enhance the overall coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'redevelopment,' 'positioned,' and 'extended area.' However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'password control' instead of 'passport control' and 'check-in-in' (a spelling error). Additionally, some phrasing is slightly unnatural, such as 'walk towards from the entrance.' To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise terminology related to maps and diagrams, and ensure that your spelling and word forms are accurate throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'It illustrate' (subject-verb agreement), 'on the each side' (incorrect article usage), and 'walked towards from' (preposition error). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with spacing around commas and periods. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent article usage will help improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.