Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-06

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 4.0)

The plans below show the site of an airport now and how it wll look after redevelopment next year:

There are total 8 gates, there is a check in and a passport control customs for arrivals. Whereas after development, there are 18 gates, some shops, two columns namely : security passport control and passport control customs, in security passport control there is a bag drop, a cafe and column for check in similarly for departures there is a cafe, A.T.M and a car hire.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, reaching only 84 words. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed. While the student identifies some key features, such as the increase in gates and the addition of new facilities like shops and a cafe, the summary lacks the depth and analytical comparison required for a Band 6 or higher. The response is too brief to provide a clear overview or to highlight the significant changes effectively. To improve, the student must expand on the descriptions, provide a clear introduction and overview, and ensure all significant changes are detailed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The response lacks a clear structure. It consists of a single, run-on paragraph that fails to separate the introduction, overview, and body details. There is a lack of logical progression, and the use of cohesive devices is minimal and mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'there is' and 'there are'. The lack of paragraphing makes the text difficult to follow. To improve, the student should organize the information into distinct paragraphs: an introduction, an overview of the main trends, and separate paragraphs for specific details, using a wider range of linking words to connect ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary is very limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic structures like 'there is' and 'there are'. The student attempts to name specific areas, such as 'passport control customs' and 'bag drop', but the range is insufficient to describe the changes in the airport layout with any precision. There is no evidence of less common lexical items or an attempt to use varied terminology to describe the redevelopment. To improve, the student should incorporate more descriptive verbs and nouns related to map analysis, such as 'expanded', 'relocated', 'constructed', or 'transformed'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The grammatical range is extremely limited, consisting mostly of simple, repetitive sentence structures. There are several punctuation errors, such as the misuse of colons and commas, and the sentence construction is often fragmented or run-on. For example, the phrase 'two columns namely : security passport control and passport control customs' is grammatically awkward. The lack of complex sentence structures prevents the student from demonstrating a higher level of control. To improve, the student should focus on using a variety of sentence types, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses, and pay closer attention to basic punctuation and sentence boundaries.

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

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