Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The maps illustrate the changes that will occur in the current condition and after renovation of an airport in the coming year.

Overall, there will be an extension in the area of the airport by the addition of some amenities as well as additional gates for passengers. The major addition of the SkyTrain will change the look of the walkways.

Currently, there is one gate for departure, and the cafe is located on the top right corner of the departure hall. Next, check-in is situated on the western side of the departure hall. Adjacent to departure, passport control, and security setup. Then, arrival has one gate, and the customs office and passport control are located next to it. Additionally, at the northern end of the airport, there are two walkways with eight gates.

After renovation, another amenity will be added in the departure hall in the form of a bag drop on the top left corner, and the location of the cafe will change from the top right corner to the southwestern corner. Moreover, in the arrivals hall, the cafe, ATM, and car hire will be located on the left side of the hall. Security, passport controls, and customs setup will remain unchanged. Right next to security and passport control, there will be an addition of shops. On the northern corner of the airport, walkways will transform into Skytrain with the addition of ten gates.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the airport redevelopment. You have clearly contrasted the 'current' state with the 'future' state, highlighting key additions like the SkyTrain and the bag drop. The overview is concise and effectively summarizes the primary changes. To reach a higher band, ensure that you provide more comparative analysis rather than just listing features. For instance, instead of just stating where the cafe moves, you could emphasize the shift in the airport's layout to accommodate more passenger flow. Overall, the task is well-addressed with all key information covered.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a body paragraph for the current state, and a body paragraph for the future state. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Currently', 'Next', 'Moreover', and 'After renovation' helps guide the reader through the information. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that the progression between sentences is smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information within each paragraph is focused on a specific theme, which aids readability.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'renovation', 'amenities', 'situated', and 'transform'. The terminology is generally accurate and appropriate for a report on maps. There are a few minor issues with collocation, such as 'security setup' or 'customs setup', which could be more naturally phrased as 'security facilities' or 'customs area'. You demonstrate an ability to use less common vocabulary, but further precision in word choice would elevate the response to a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and easy to follow, and the grammatical errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. For example, 'The maps illustrate the changes that will occur in the current condition' is a well-constructed opening. However, there are occasional minor errors, such as 'in the form of a bag drop on the top left corner' which could be phrased more concisely. Increasing the variety of complex structures would help demonstrate a wider grammatical range.

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.