Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-03
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 illustrate the evolution site of an airport in present day and shows how it will look after redevelopment next year.
Overall, the site will contributes a significant changes after development next year. the most notable is the expansion of Y shape building in upper side of airport.
At the beginning of the period, there is only two entrance for departures and arrivals. The walkway area also in limited distance. Check-in is located in left side and cafe is in right side in departures hall. Additionally there are eight numbers of gates.
In contrast after development of airport site, major changes will taken place. The two entrance for departures and arrivals will added in both hall. Walkway would removed and introduced a new sky train. A shops will added near the security area and the left side Check-in will relocated in right side. The cafe located in bottom side in departures hall also introduced a new cafe area in arrivals hall. A car hire added in bottom corner and ATM machine will introduced between the cafe and car hire. However, gates will added more to 18 numbers.
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 redevelopment, including the expansion of the terminal and the addition of new facilities like the sky train and shops. However, the report is somewhat descriptive rather than analytical. While you mention the increase in gates, the comparison between the 'now' and 'next year' plans could be more effectively highlighted by grouping features by category (e.g., transport, facilities, layout) rather than listing them sequentially. The overview is present but could be more detailed regarding the overall transformation of the site. The information is generally accurate, but some details, such as the specific locations of new amenities, are slightly confusingly described.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs covering the 'before' and 'after' states. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate. For example, 'In contrast after development' is a slightly awkward transition. Referencing is sometimes unclear, such as 'The two entrance for departures and arrivals will added in both hall', where the connection to the previous sentence is weak. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved with more varied linking words to guide the reader through the spatial changes.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. You rely on basic verbs like 'added', 'located', and 'introduced' repeatedly. There are also some errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'evolution site' instead of 'layout' or 'configuration', and 'eight numbers of gates' instead of 'eight gates'. While the meaning is generally clear, the range of vocabulary is limited, and there is little evidence of less common lexical items or sophisticated phrasing that would demonstrate a higher level of control.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly with verb forms and articles. Examples include 'The map illustrate' (subject-verb agreement), 'will contributes a significant changes' (incorrect verb form), 'will taken place' (passive voice error), and 'A shops will added' (article and verb usage). These errors are noticeable and occur in almost every sentence. While the meaning is usually understandable, the lack of control over basic sentence structures and tense consistency significantly impacts the quality of the writing. You should focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and the correct formation of passive voice structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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