Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-10

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 8.0)

The plans illustrate the current layout of Southwest Airport and the proposed changes to the airport following its redevelopment next year.

Overall, the airport is expected to undergo substantial expansion. The most notable changes will be the addition of two new wings, an increase in the number of gates from eight to eighteen, and the introduction of several new passenger facilities. The existing security, passport-control and customs areas will remain largely unchanged.

At present, the airport has a single central walkway leading from the terminal to eight gates. On the departures side, there are security and passport-control facilities, together with a check-in area and a café. On the arrivals side, passengers pass through passport control and customs before entering the arrivals area, where another café is available.

Following redevelopment, the central walkway will be extended and divided into two branches, creating two new wings. Gates 9 to 18 will be added, with gates 1–8 remaining along the existing walkway. A sky train will also be introduced to provide transport between the terminal and the expanded gate areas.

Several additional facilities will be provided in the terminal. On the departures side, a bag-drop facility will be added alongside the existing check-in service. On the arrivals side, passengers will have access to an ATM and a car-hire facility, while cafés will continue to be available. Thus, the redevelopment will considerably increase both the airport's capacity and the range of services offered to passengers

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent and fully addresses all requirements of the task. You have successfully identified the main features of the airport layout, including the expansion of the wings, the increase in gate numbers, and the addition of new passenger facilities. The comparison between the current and future states is clear and well-supported by specific details from the diagrams. The overview provided in the second paragraph effectively captures the most significant changes, setting a clear tone for the rest of the report. The information is logically selected and presented, ensuring the reader has a comprehensive understanding of the redevelopment plans.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The report is well-structured and easy to follow. You have used a logical progression of ideas, starting with an overview, moving to the current state, and concluding with the future developments. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate these distinct sections. Cohesive devices such as 'At present', 'Following redevelopment', and 'In addition' are used naturally to guide the reader through the comparison. The referencing is precise, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the text, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the task. Phrases such as 'undergo substantial expansion', 'largely unchanged', and 'considerably increase' show a good command of collocation and academic style. The use of specific terminology related to airport infrastructure, such as 'central walkway', 'bag-drop facility', and 'car-hire facility', is accurate and enhances the precision of your description. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the vocabulary is used with a high degree of naturalness.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use complex sentences, such as 'Following redevelopment, the central walkway will be extended and divided into two branches, creating two new wings.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. The control over verb tenses, particularly the use of the future passive voice to describe the proposed changes, is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall quality of the writing is very high.

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