Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-23

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 potential changes to a southwest airport layout is shown in the figure given to us in detail. The renovation tends to change the face of airport entirely

Presently, the airport has eight gates piled up upon a single block. That block is equipped with the walkway. Furthermore, there is a singular cafe located in the departure lounge. This is the same place where check in is in place. Arrivals area has no such facility therefore passengers can head from arrivals straight to the customs.

Post development airport will have increased the quantity of the gates by manyfolds on a Y-shaped facility. Sky train will be in effect to move passengers through and via the gates. A new compartment filled with shops will be introducted between the gates and lounges. Both areas will have a separate cafe. Bag drop will be introduced in departures, with incorporation of ATM and car hire in arrivals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the airport layout, including the increase in gates and the addition of new facilities like the sky train and shops. However, the overview is somewhat weak; it lacks a clear summary of the most significant changes. While the response identifies key developments, some descriptions are slightly imprecise, such as 'piled up upon a single block'. To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview highlights the most striking transformations, such as the shift from a single-block design to a more complex, expanded layout, rather than just listing individual changes.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, moving from the current layout to the future development. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. Phrases like 'Furthermore' and 'Post development' are used, but the flow between sentences could be smoother. The referencing is generally clear, but the connection between the departure lounge and the check-in area is slightly confusingly phrased. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring a more natural progression between ideas would enhance the overall coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and sophistication. Phrases like 'change the face of airport entirely' and 'piled up upon a single block' are slightly informal or unnatural in an academic context. There is an attempt to use specific terminology like 'departure lounge' and 'customs', which is good. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations related to maps and diagrams, such as 'undergo redevelopment' or 'the layout is transformed'. Avoid informal phrasing to maintain an academic tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'a southwest airport' (should be 'the'), 'is shown' (should be 'are shown' to agree with 'changes'), and 'introducted' (spelling error). Additionally, 'by manyfolds' is not standard English. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and proofreading for minor spelling and article usage will help improve accuracy.

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

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