Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-01

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 diagram illustrates the site map of the airport in its current form and how it looks after the renovation in the coming year. Overall, in the coming year various gates will be added, and a cafe shop and ATM machine will be added in the departure and arrival halls. Similarly, care hire will be extended in the same hall. Security, passport control and customs remain the same as they are in the current form.

Currently, there are 8 gates in which only walkways exist to enter the airport, while after development, 10 gates will be added, making a total of 18 gates. Similarly, the walkway will be replaced by a skytrain. In terms of departure hall, check-in counter and cafe exist now. After renovation, bag drop and the cafe will also be adjoining in the hall, making more options for the passengers. However, the blank space of the arrival hall will be filled up by a cafe, ATM machine and car hire.

However, there will be no change in terms of security, passport control and customs. Although the hollow space between these two areas will be filled up by shops in the coming year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have successfully identified the main features of the airport redevelopment, including the addition of gates, the introduction of a skytrain, and the new facilities in the departure and arrival halls. You provided a clear overview and made relevant comparisons between the current and future states. However, the description of the layout could be more precise. For example, mentioning '10 gates will be added, making a total of 18' is accurate, but the description of the 'hollow space' is slightly vague. To reach a higher band, ensure that all spatial relationships are described with greater clarity and that the distinction between the two halls is consistently maintained throughout the report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary of unchanged features. You use cohesive devices such as 'Similarly', 'However', and 'In terms of' to link ideas. While the progression is generally clear, some transitions feel slightly repetitive, and the paragraphing could be improved by grouping all 'additions' together versus 'unchanged' features more strictly. The use of referencing is generally effective, though the flow between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother to avoid repeating the information about security and customs.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'redevelopment', 'renovation', and 'adjoining' appropriately. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'cafe shop' (redundant) and 'care hire' (likely a typo for 'car hire'). The phrase 'blank space' is a bit informal for an academic report. To improve, try to incorporate more precise terminology related to airport infrastructure, such as 'terminal facilities', 'passenger amenities', or 'structural modifications'. Your vocabulary is sufficient to convey meaning, but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'Currently, there are 8 gates in which only walkways exist'. While the meaning is clear, there are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'cafe and ATM machine will be added in the departure and arrival halls' (missing articles) and 'bag drop and the cafe will also be adjoining' (awkward phrasing). There are also minor errors in tense consistency and preposition usage. To achieve a higher score, focus on refining your complex sentence structures and ensuring that subject-verb agreement and article usage are consistently accurate throughout the text.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.