Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-29
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 map illustrates the airport plan how it will look after redevelopment next year.
Overall, Southwest Airport will be reconstructed in the next year, their will see significant major changes in airport. now total have in airport 8 gate, but gates will be increased to 18 gates. Walkway converted to sky train it will easy for people transportation. Furthermore, there will be open new shops and facilities such as ATM car hire.
To begin with, currently maps depict cafe and check-in in departures, but bag drop will be added in airport. In arrivals side do not have any facilities. However, ATM machine added in airport and cafe will be replaced into arrivals area. In addition, card hire facilities will be available in the airport.
Turning to the next details, front of the security passport control there will be open new shops for costumers. Walkway will be replaced by sky train. Additionally, after redevelopment gates will be expanded to 10 gates.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the airport redevelopment, such as the increase in gates, the introduction of a sky train, and the addition of new facilities. However, the information is not always accurate; for instance, you mention the gates will increase to 18, then later state they will be expanded to 10. This inconsistency makes the summary confusing. Additionally, the overview is somewhat weak, as it lacks a clear synthesis of the most significant changes. To improve, ensure that your data points are consistent with the visual information provided and focus on highlighting the most prominent transformations rather than listing every detail.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate, such as 'Turning to the next details' or 'In arrivals side do not have any facilities.' The logical progression between sentences is sometimes disrupted by awkward phrasing and missing subjects, which makes the flow feel disjointed. While there is an attempt to use linking words, they are not always used with the flexibility required for higher bands. Improving the variety and accuracy of your transition signals will help create a more professional and readable flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You rely on simple verbs like 'added' and 'replaced' throughout the text. There are also some noticeable errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'card hire' instead of 'car hire' and 'costumers' instead of 'customers.' To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise terminology related to maps and changes, such as 'expanded,' 'relocated,' 'transformed,' or 'integrated.' Expanding your range of descriptive vocabulary will allow you to convey the information with greater precision and sophistication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include missing articles ('in airport'), incorrect verb forms ('their will see'), and subject-verb agreement errors ('maps depict cafe'). The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. When you do attempt more complex structures, they often contain errors, such as 'Walkway converted to sky train it will easy for people transportation.' To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, particularly the use of articles, prepositions, and correct verb tenses, before attempting more complex grammatical structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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