Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-18
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 diagrams illustrate the current layout of Southwest Airport and the proposed changes that will be made after its development.
Overall, the airport is expected to undergo significant expansion, particularly in the number of gates and passenger facilities. The most noticeable changes will be the addition of two new branches, a sky train system, shops, a bag-drop facility, ATMs and a car-hire service.
At present, Southwest Airport has a relatively simple layout. The departures and arrivals areas are located at the bottom, with security, passport control and customs facilities between them. There are eight gates in total, numbered 1 to 8. Gates 1 and 8 are positioned at the entrance to the walkway, while gates 2 to 7 are located along the central rectangular walkway. Check-in facilities and a café are available in the departures section.
After development, the airport will have a much larger and more complex structure. The central walkway will be extended and two additional sections will branch off from it, providing gates numbered 1 to 18. A sky train will connect the main terminal with the expanded gate areas, making movement around the airport more convenient.
Several new facilities will also be introduced. In the departures area, there will be a bag-drop service and an additional café, while shops will be added near the walkway. The arrivals section will contain an ATM and a car-hire facility, in addition to the existing passport control and customs areas. Overall, the development will considerably increase the airport’s capacity and improve the range of services available to passengers.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| 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 summary of the changes shown in the airport plans. An effective overview is included in the second paragraph, highlighting the expansion in gates and passenger facilities. Key features are successfully reported, such as the extension of the central walkway into a Y-shape with 18 gates, the introduction of a sky train system, and the repositioning of facilities like check-in, bag-drop, and car hire. The comparison between 'now' and 'after development' is accurate and supported by specific details from the diagrams, fulfilling all requirements of Task 1.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically sequenced and easy to follow. Ideas are structured with a clear progression from an introductory overview to the current layout, the future changes, and concluding remarks. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the visual data. Cohesive devices such as 'At present', 'After development', and 'Several new facilities' are employed effectively to guide the reader through the comparison, ensuring seamless transitions without mechanical overuse.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Words and phrases such as 'undergo significant expansion', 'complex structure', 'repositioned', and 'considerably increase the airport's capacity' are used with good awareness of style and collocation. There are no notable spelling or word-choice errors, and the terminology related to spatial layouts and airport features is handled accurately throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
A good variety of complex and simple sentence structures is used accurately. The student effectively utilises subordinate clauses and future tense constructions, such as 'the airport is expected to undergo' and 'two additional sections will branch off from it'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled well throughout the text. Grammar and syntax never impede communication, displaying solid control over complex grammatical forms.
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