Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The given maps depict a comparison of an airport appearance between the current site and after its redevelopment next year.

Overall, it is clear from the given map that numerous facilities will be added at the southwest airport in the coming year.

First of all, the location of check-in will be replaced with bag drop in and check in point will go where there is a cafe now while the cafe will go near departures entrance. The security, passport control and customs locations will remain at the same place. Not only one more cafe will be opened on the arrivals side but also an ATM and a car hire facility will be added.

Moreover, some shops will open on the north west side of the airport. The number of gates will increase from eight to eighteen as area will extended in Y shape to add more gates. The walkway will be removed; however, a sky train will be introduced for people to go from one side to another side.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully identifies the main features of the airport redevelopment. You have clearly highlighted the changes in facilities, such as the relocation of the check-in area, the expansion of gates, and the introduction of the sky train. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the overall trend. However, to reach a higher band, you could improve the precision of your descriptions. For example, instead of saying 'area will extended in Y shape', you could describe the specific structural changes more formally. The comparison between the current and future states is generally well-handled, covering all key areas shown in the diagrams.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group information by theme. The use of cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'Moreover', and 'however' helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. For instance, the transition between the discussion of security and the addition of new facilities is a bit abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing (e.g., 'the location', 'the area') is consistently precise would enhance the overall cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'redevelopment', 'facilities', 'relocated', and 'introduced'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'bag drop in' (should be 'bag drop') and 'check in point' (should be 'check-in area'). While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, it lacks the sophisticated, less common items that would demonstrate a higher level of lexical control. Focusing on more precise collocations and technical terms related to airport infrastructure would help elevate your score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that slightly affect the clarity of the writing, such as 'check in point will go where there is a cafe now' (informal phrasing) and 'as area will extended' (missing article and incorrect verb form). Additionally, there are some punctuation issues, such as missing commas in complex sentences. While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more consistent control over sentence construction and verb tenses when describing future changes.

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

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