Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-25

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 maps compare the layouts of an airport today and how it will look after reconstruction next year.

Overall, the southwest airport is planned to undergo significant changes with more facilities and amenities added next year. Today the airport has a more conventional structure but it will have more modern inclusion after the renovation.

Today, the airport has eight gates and two walkways on the top of the layout. Below that, on the left side, security passport control room is located and on the right side, the passport control customs can be noticed. In the departures side, check-in facility is situated on the left and a cafe is included.

On the other hand, the airport is set to establish 18 gates and sky trains instead of walkways post redevelopment. Moreover, shops will be added for passengers. However, the security passport control room and passport control customs remain in the same spot as before.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response provides a clear overview and identifies the main features of the airport plans. You successfully highlighted the key changes, such as the increase in gates and the addition of shops and sky trains. However, the description of the current layout is slightly imprecise; for instance, referring to 'two walkways on the top' is vague. To reach a higher band, ensure that all spatial references are clear and that you provide more precise comparisons between the two diagrams, such as the reconfiguration of the check-in area or the specific location of the new amenities relative to the existing structures.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing the current and future states. The use of cohesive devices like 'Overall', 'On the other hand', and 'Moreover' helps guide the reader through the information. However, the transition between the current layout and the future layout could be smoother. Some sentences feel slightly disjointed, and the referencing could be more precise to ensure the flow of information is seamless. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the airport features, such as 'reconstruction', 'amenities', and 'redevelopment'. However, the range is somewhat limited and relies on basic descriptors. Phrases like 'on the top of the layout' or 'in the same spot' are functional but lack the precision expected at higher bands. To improve, try to incorporate more specific terminology related to airport infrastructure and spatial descriptions, such as 'terminal', 'concourse', 'adjacent to', or 'situated in the northern section'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'more modern inclusion' (which is awkward phrasing) and 'security passport control room' (which lacks articles). Additionally, 'the departures side' should be 'the departures area'. While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more careful proofreading and a wider variety of complex grammatical structures to demonstrate greater control.

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

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