Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)
The maps illustrate planned structural alterations to Southwest Airport, contrasting its current layout with its projected redevelopment.
Overall, the airport will undergo a major expansion characterized by a substantial increase in gate capacity, the introduction of an internal transport link, and the addition of extensive commercial and service amenities across both the departures and arrivals sectors.
In the main terminal building, the floor plan will expand significantly to accommodate new facilities. Currently, the departures area on the left features a single combined check-in counter and security zone. Following the redevelopment, check-in desks will be repositioned along the far left wall, making room for a new dedicated bag drop area in the central space. On the right side, the arrivals sector—which currently houses only passport control and customs—will be upgraded to include an ATM, a cafe, and a car hire service. Furthermore, a new retail store will span the entire width between the main terminal hall and the boarding gates.
The boarding zone itself will experience the most radical transformation. The existing linear concourse containing gates 1–8 will be replaced by a modern Y-shaped structure, increasing total capacity to 18 gates (gates 1–9 extending northwest and 10–18 extending northeast). Finally, while passengers currently navigate the concourse on foot via a central walkway, the updated layout will replace this path with a sky train line to transport travellers along the lengthened concourse arms.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear comparison between the current layout of Southwest Airport and the proposed redevelopment. The response successfully highlights key changes, such as the Y-shaped expansion of the boarding zone, the addition of the sky train, and the reconfiguration of the terminal facilities. An effective overall summary is included in the second paragraph, capturing the main trends of expansion and modernization. The selection of features is accurate and well-grounded in the visual data, fulfilling all requirements of Task 1 at a high level.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The text is logically organised with a clear progression from a general overview to specific terminal alterations and finally the boarding zone transformation. Paragraphing is used effectively and appropriately to separate distinct areas of the airport maps. Cohesive devices are managed skilfully without being intrusive, using phrases such as 'Currently', 'Following the redevelopment', and 'Furthermore' to guide the reader smoothly through the spatial comparison.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
The student demonstrates a wide, flexible, and natural lexical range appropriate for an academic report. Words and phrases such as 'structural alterations', 'projected redevelopment', 'repositioned', and 'radical transformation' are used accurately. There is skillful deployment of less common vocabulary ('concourse', 'amenities', 'protruding') with precise collocations, showing a high level of lexical control throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The writing exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. Sentences such as 'The existing linear concourse containing gates 1–8 will be replaced by a modern Y-shaped structure, increasing total capacity to 18 gates' showcase excellent control over participial phrases and subordinate clauses. The vast majority of sentences are error-free, with only rare, non-systematic slips that never impede communication or detract from the sophisticated flow.
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