Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-27
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 diagram shows the site of an airport now and how will it look next year after redevelopment and There will be huge changes after redevelopment.
First and foremost, there is one departure entrance and one arrivals exit now but there will be two entrances for arrivals and two exits for arrivals in upcoming year. There will be a new point at southeast corner where passengers can hire cars also there will be an ATM write next to the car hire point. Moreover there will be a new cafe in arrivals section and cafe in the departure section will be shifted to southwest corner from middle of the airport. However, there is a check-in area in left side of the which will move to right side of the section. In addition, there will be a bag drop at the place of check-in area. Security passport control and passport control customs remains same even after the redevelopment and there will be shops write next to the security passport control. There are 8 gates right now but there will be 18 gates after the redevelopment in a Y shape structure and there will also be a sky train by which passengers can travel from gate to gate.
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 redevelopment, including the changes to entrances, facilities, and the gate layout. However, the overview is quite weak; it merely states that there will be 'huge changes' without summarizing the nature of these changes (e.g., the expansion and modernization of the terminal). While the key details are present, the report lacks a clear, analytical summary that highlights the most significant transformations. To improve, ensure the overview synthesizes the information rather than just listing changes. The description of the gate expansion and the addition of the sky train is well-noted, but the report would benefit from a more structured comparison between the 'now' and 'next year' states.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'Moreover' and 'In addition' are used, but the flow between sentences is occasionally disjointed. For instance, the transition between the description of the cafe and the check-in area is abrupt. The referencing is generally clear, but the paragraphing could be improved by grouping related features (e.g., passenger facilities vs. operational areas) rather than listing them sequentially. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There are several spelling errors, such as 'write' instead of 'right' and 'arrivals exit' which is redundant. The range of vocabulary is limited to basic descriptive terms, such as 'huge changes' and 'shifted'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to maps and diagrams, such as 'relocated', 'expanded', 'integrated', or 'situated'. Additionally, avoid repetitive phrasing and ensure that words are used in their correct context to demonstrate a more sophisticated control of language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'how will it look' (should be 'how it will look'), 'in upcoming year' (missing article), and 'left side of the which' (grammatically incomplete). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with missing commas in complex sentences. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and sentence structure will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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