Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-14
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)
As far as these diagrams are concerned, the given diagrams show how area of the airport looks now and how it will look in the next year after development.
Overall, the present diagram shows a lot of development so far. However, significant changes has been made in this diagram for future development in next year. Some stuff remain the same, while others has changed a lot after the development.
In the present diagram, there are 8 gates and walkways are used. The security passport control consists of check-in corner and a café and only one departures section. Whereas, compared to the next year plan, the same security passport control has been introduced with a bag drop corner replacing the check-in corner. The check-in corner has been shifted to the right and the café has been relocated at the bottom left near to departures section. One departures has been replaced into two departures in the present plan. The number of gates has been increased to 18 gates in the future development plan along with the sky train replacing the old walkaways. The present passport control customs have only one arrivals section, but this has been changed into two arrivals section in the future development plan. A , ATM and car hiring has also been introduced in the after development plan/diagram.
In conclusion, the diagrams present a clear pattern of changes in development in the future as compared to the present plan/diagram.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The candidate successfully addresses all parts of the task by summarizing the main features of the airport maps and making relevant comparisons between the present and future layouts. The overview identifies key transformations, such as the expansion of gates, modification of passport control, and introduction of new facilities like the sky train and car hiring. While some descriptions of spatial relationships are slightly convoluted, the core information is presented clearly. The student identifies the primary changes such as the increase from 8 to 18 gates and the addition of a second arrivals area. Ideas are adequately covered to meet the requirements of a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction, body paragraph, and conclusion. Paragraphing is attempted, though the central body paragraph is quite dense and would have benefited from being split into two distinct sections (e.g., departures/gates vs. arrivals/facilities) to improve logical flow. Cohesive devices are used, but they are sometimes mechanical or awkward, such as 'Whereas, compared to the next year plan' and 'A , ATM and car hiring' which creates a disjointed listing effect. Referencing is occasionally confusing, making it sometimes difficult to follow which diagram features are being contrasted. Overall, the organizational structure is adequate for a Band 5.5.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, incorporating topic-specific terms like 'passport control', 'check-in corner', 'departures section', and 'gate'. However, there are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, such as 'Some stuff remain the same', 'car hiring', and 'after development plan/diagram'. The repetition of 'present diagram' and 'future development plan' also limits lexical variety. Spelling and word choice errors do not heavily impede communication, but they restrict the score to a Band 5.5 based on the descriptor for noticeable errors and limited lexical flexibility.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but grammatical control is inconsistent. There are several subject-verb agreement errors, such as 'significant changes has been made', 'Some stuff remain', and 'others has changed'. Punctuation and article usage are also flawed, as seen in the fragmented list 'A , ATM and car hiring'. While some complex structures are attempted (e.g., 'As far as these diagrams are concerned...'), frequent basic grammatical errors persist throughout the text. These errors occasionally cause slight hesitation for the reader, placing the grammar performance firmly at a Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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