Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-24
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 8.0)
The plans illustrate the current layout of Southwest Airport and the proposed changes following its redevelopment next year.
Overall, the airport is expected to undergo significant expansion. The most notable changes will be the extension of the existing walkway, the addition of ten new gates, and the introduction of several new facilities, including shops, a sky train, ATMs and car-hire services.
At present, the airport has a relatively simple layout. After passing through security and passport control, passengers enter a central walkway containing eight gates. Gates 1 to 3 are located along the left side, while gates 4 to 8 are positioned further along the walkway. The departures area is on the left of the main entrance, whereas arrivals are on the right. There are also a cafe and check-in facilities in the departures section.
After redevelopment, the central walkway will be extended and divided into two branches, creating a Y-shaped arrangement. The number of gates will increase from eight to eighteen. Gates 1–6 will be situated on the left branch, while gates 7–10 will be located at the top and gates 11–18 will be located on the right branch. A sky train will also be installed in the central section to transport passengers between the terminal and the gates.
In addition, the airport will offer a wider range of passenger services. Shops will be added near the beginning of the walkway, while the departures area will contain a bag-drop facility and an additional café. On the arrivals side, passengers will have access to an ATM and a car-hire service. Thus, the redevelopment will substantially increase both the airport's capacity and the range of facilities available to passengers.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student produces a well-crafted overview and selects and reports the main features accurately. The progression from the current single-concourse airport to the proposed Y-shaped development is clearly outlined. Key alterations—such as the extension of gates from 8 to 18, the addition of a sky train, and the inclusion of new facilities like shops, ATMs, and car-hire services—are all accurately captured. The writer successfully highlights both spatial changes and functional updates, satisfying all requirements of the task with precision and clarity.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with clear progression throughout. Information is effectively chunked into logical paragraphs: an introduction, an overall summary, a description of the current layout, the future layout, and additional facilities. Cohesive devices are handled naturally, as seen in phrases like 'At present', 'After redevelopment', and 'In addition'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different temporal stages and thematic areas, ensuring smooth and effortless reading from start to finish.
Lexical Resource: Band 8.0
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical resource suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Vocabulary items such as 'undergo significant expansion', 'Y-shaped arrangement', and 'substantially increase' are used accurately and appropriately. There is good collocation and variety throughout the text. While minor lexical slips are absent, the range of vocabulary allows the student to convey precise spatial and functional information effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0
The writing exhibits a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. Sentences such as 'The most notable changes will be the extension of the existing walkway, the addition of ten new gates, and the introduction of several new facilities...' demonstrate excellent control over clause structures and parallel phrasing. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled impeccably, reflecting a very high standard of grammatical control.
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