Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-04

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 represents the map of the Southwest airport before and after an upcoming development project.

The overall size of the airport will have increased marginally as more gates are built. The main airport section will remain the same size, though there are noticable changes in the various contents and facilities across both maps.

The development projects plans to make the terminal larger. Compared to the current terminal, which contains 8 gates, the new triangular-shaped terminal is expected to feature 18 gates. Additionally, the new terminal will also feature a sky train replacing the walkway in the current terminal. The addition of extra gates and a new sky train will make the terminal exponentially larger.

The main airport section will receive several upgrades. The current airport has one departures and arrivals gate each. In contrast, the new airport will feature two gates each for arrivals and departures. The departures section will also receive a new bag drop, something the current airport lacks. Similarly, the arrivals section also feature some new additions, as the previously empty area will contain a cafe, ATM, and a car hire booth.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the airport redevelopment, including the expansion of the terminal, the increase in gates, and the addition of new facilities. You provided a clear overview and made relevant comparisons between the current and future states. However, the description of the 'main airport section' is slightly confusing, as you refer to 'two gates each for arrivals and departures' which is not clearly supported by the visual data provided. To reach a higher band, ensure that all reported data is strictly derived from the visual evidence and avoid over-generalizing or misinterpreting specific labels on the map.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction followed by body paragraphs that group information by theme (terminal vs. main section). You use cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'In contrast', and 'Similarly' to guide the reader through the comparisons. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct areas of development. The progression of ideas is clear, though some transitions could be more sophisticated to improve the flow between sentences. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the changes clearly, using terms like 'redevelopment project', 'triangular-shaped', and 'exponentially'. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'contents and facilities' which is slightly imprecise in this context. You also have a small error in 'noticable' (spelling: noticeable). While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, incorporating more precise descriptive language related to spatial changes (e.g., 'relocated', 'extended', 'integrated') would enhance the lexical quality.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free and clear. There are a few minor grammatical slips, such as 'the arrivals section also feature' (should be 'features') and 'The development projects plans' (should be 'project plans' or 'projects plan'). These errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. To improve, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions (e.g., 'The walkway is to be replaced by a sky train') to better suit the formal tone of a report.

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

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