Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-02
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 infographic form of maps demonstrate the site of a southwest airport in current time and how it will seems after improvement next year
Overall, the airport has some gates while new more gates will be introduce in next year. also it will be develop few shops near to gates. airport department will develop ATM, sky train and taxi service
First of all, nowadays the southwest airport has around 8 gates and 2 walkways which connect airport to outside area. while inside of the airport there is a cafe, and a check-in on departures side. and one departure and one arrival zone. also security, passport control and customs as well it will be in next year
In addition, in future there will be a bag drop, cafeteria and check-in on departure side. Outside of security area there will develop new shops. another cafe on arrival side and also taxi service and ATM service as well.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| 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 plans, such as the increase in gates and the addition of new facilities like the sky train and shops. However, the description is somewhat fragmented and lacks a clear, analytical overview. While the main changes are identified, the comparison between the 'current' and 'future' states is not fully developed, and some details are presented in a list-like fashion rather than as a cohesive summary. To improve, ensure that the overview highlights the most significant trends, such as the overall expansion of the terminal and the modernization of passenger services, rather than just listing individual features.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow between sentences is often weak. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'also' and 'in addition'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial layout of the airport. To achieve a higher band, you should use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, such as grouping all 'current' features together and then contrasting them with the 'future' developments in a structured way.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for a higher score. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'infographic form of maps' and 'in current time'. The word choice is often repetitive, and there is a lack of topic-specific vocabulary related to airport infrastructure (e.g., 'terminal', 'concourse', 'expansion', 'reconfiguration'). To improve, focus on learning collocations related to describing maps and diagrams, and try to use more sophisticated synonyms to avoid repeating basic words like 'develop' or 'new'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with verb tenses (e.g., 'how it will seems', 'will be introduce'), subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. Many sentences are simple or contain errors in word order. While the meaning is generally understandable, the lack of control over complex structures limits the score. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically the use of passive voice for describing changes (e.g., 'a new terminal will be constructed') and ensuring consistent tense usage when discussing future plans.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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