Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 maps compare the current layout of Southwest Airport with its proposed future development.

Overall, it is evident that the airport will look more advanced after redevelopment by adding multiple facilities, especially in the arrivals. Furthermore, walkways have been replaced and a sky train has been added in the boarding area along with multiple gates.

Looking first at the northern part of the map, the area has been fully modernized by replacing the walkway with the sky train and expanding the eight gates into eighteen. Interestingly, the security and the passport control located in the western part remained unchanged, along with the passport control and the customs in the east. However, shops have been added in the northwest corner.

Turning to the departures, another door has been added to manage the flow of travellers. Additionally, a place for bag drop is added next to the cafe for the convenience of the people. The counter for check-in is relocated and placed on the east side. Regarding the area for the arrivals, a cafe, ATM service and car hire facilities have been added along with an additional doorway to ensure the convenience for the visitors.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by comparing the current and future layouts of Southwest Airport. The overview correctly highlights the major transformations, such as the addition of new facilities and the expansion of the boarding area. Key features are accurately reported, including the extension of gates from 8 to 18, the introduction of a sky train, and new additions in the arrivals and departures sections, such as the bag drop, shops, and car hire. The comparisons are clear and supported by the visual data, showing a good understanding of the spatial changes. The response meets all the requirements for a well-developed Task 1 report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised, with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and well-sequenced body paragraphs discussing different sections of the airport. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the northern boarding area from the terminal facilities. Cohesive devices are employed effectively to guide the reader through the comparison, using transitional phrases like 'Looking first at' and 'Turning to the departures'. Referencing throughout the text is clear, ensuring a smooth and logical progression of ideas from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for an academic report. Words and phrases such as 'redevelopment', 'modernized', 'expanding', 'relocated', and 'convenience' show an ability to use less common items with some awareness of style and collocation. While there are no major lexical errors, the vocabulary is generally standard rather than highly sophisticated. Word choices are precise enough to accurately convey the spatial modifications shown in the maps without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating passive voice appropriately for describing map changes, such as 'walkways have been replaced and a sky train has been added'. There is a high proportion of error-free sentences, and grammatical control is generally strong. Minor slips occur, such as 'is added' instead of 'has been added' in the final paragraph, but these do not impede understanding. Punctuation and sentence boundaries are handled well throughout the response.

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