Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
The rendered two maps depicts the infrastructure of current airport with the advanced version of same after modification.
In an overview it is evident that various kind of changes such as addition of gates, shops, ATM and train will be done to current architecture of Southwest airport which will make it more developed and well structured.
At first glance, it is crystal cleart that currently in north direction, walkway is surrounded by only 8 gates while sky train will be constructed on place of walkway and addition of 8 gates will be done around sky train after renovation. Moreover, on top side of security passport control shops will be built on free area during development.
Probing further, cafe will be moved from centre to right bottom side of customs area whereas on place of current cafe check-in department will take over it's by shifting from west side. Also one cafe on south-west side will be removed. Furthermore, bag area will be added on place of current check-in area. Along with it ATM and car hiring will be built at right bottom corner.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The student successfully addresses the prompt by summarising the main features and making relevant comparisons between the current and future layout of Southwest Airport. The overview correctly highlights key modifications, such as the addition of gates, shops, an ATM, and a train. The body paragraphs effectively detail specific spatial changes, noting how the walkway is replaced by a sky train surrounded by 16 gates in total, and describing the relocation of the cafe, check-in, and baggage areas. The information is accurately reported without significant omissions, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptor for addressing all parts of the task with clear highlights and comparisons.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is logically organised into an introduction, an overview, and detailed body paragraphs, establishing a clear progression of information. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the comparison, using transition phrases such as 'In an overview', 'At first glance', and 'Probing further'. However, referencing and cohesion are occasionally clunky or repetitive, as seen with phrases like 'on place of current cafe check-in department will take over it's by shifting from west side'. Paragraphing is used appropriately, but overall cohesion lacks the flexibility and smooth flow required for higher bands, placing this comfortably at Band 6.5, rounded to 6.0 based on available increments, or a solid 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to describe spatial arrangements and modifications using terms like 'infrastructure', 'renovation', and 'customs area'. However, there are notable limitations and awkward collocations, such as 'rendered two maps depicts' (subject-verb agreement error), 'advanced version of same', and 'bag area' instead of 'baggage reclaim'. Less common lexical items are attempted with mixed success. Spelling is generally accurate, but word choice and phrasing often sound unnatural or translated directly, limiting the lexical score to a Band 5.5 or 6.0. Given the successful communication of details despite inaccuracies, a Band 6.0 is appropriate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some command of subordinate clauses and passive structures (e.g., 'shops will be built', 'cafe will be moved'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles, prepositions, and subject-verb agreement. Examples include 'The rendered two maps depicts' (plural subject with singular verb), 'on place of walkway', and 'crystal cleart'. Additionally, awkward phrasing like 'take over it's by shifting' creates grammatical confusion. While these errors rarely completely impede communication, they occur regularly throughout the text, preventing the response from reaching Band 6.0 and anchoring it at Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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