Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)
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 will be replaced and a sky train will be added in the boarding area along with multiple gates.
Looking first at the northern part of the map, the area will be 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 will be added in the northwest corner.
Turning to the departures, another door will be added to manage the flow of travellers. Additionally, a place for bag drop will be added next to the cafe for the convenience of the people. The counter for check-in will be relocated on the east side. Regarding the area for the arrivals, a cafe, ATM service and car hire facilities will be added along with an additional doorway to ensure the convenience for the visitors.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by comparing the current layout of Southwest Airport with the proposed future redevelopment. The response features a clear overall summary that highlights key transformations, such as the addition of new facilities, the expansion of the boarding gates, and the replacement of the walkway with a sky train. Key spatial features are correctly reported across the northern area, departures, and arrivals. For instance, the student notes the expansion from eight to eighteen gates, the addition of the bag drop next to the café, and the introduction of car hire and ATM facilities. The information is fully grounded in the visual data, and the progression of the report is logical, well-supported, and effectively structured.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The response is logically sequenced and easy to follow. Progression is clearly established from the introduction to the overview, followed by specific body paragraphs focusing on different sections of the airport maps ('Looking first at the northern part', 'Turning to the departures'). Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct geographical zones of the airport. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Interestingly', and 'Additionally' are used effectively to guide the reader through the comparisons. Referencing is clear throughout, and the overall structural organization fully supports the flow of information.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary used is generally accurate and appropriate for an academic task describing spatial changes. The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with terms such as 'redevelopment', 'modernized', 'relocated', and 'facilities'. There are some attempts at less common lexical items, and word choices are generally precise ('manage the flow of travellers', 'convenience of the people'). Minor lexical inaccuracies are rare and do not impede communication, allowing the reader to easily follow the descriptive points.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The student uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms with a strong degree of control. Structures such as 'The maps compare...' and 'Regarding the area for the arrivals, a cafe... will be added' demonstrate flexibility. The majority of sentences are error-free. While there is a slight tense slip in referring to unchanging features ('located in the western part remained unchanged' instead of 'remain unchanged'), grammatical accuracy is generally high, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout the entire response.
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