Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)
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 is 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 | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0
The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear summary of the plans for Southwest Airport now and after redevelopment. An effective overview is included in the second paragraph, highlighting the major changes such as the extension of the walkway, the addition of ten new gates, and new facilities. Key features are accurately reported and compared against the current layout, such as the transition from a simple walkway to a Y-shaped arrangement and the introduction of a sky train and passenger services. While there are some minor inaccuracies in mapping specific gate numbers (e.g., stating gates 7–10 are at the top and 11–18 on the right, whereas the plan shows gates 1–9 on the left/stem and 10–18 on the right), these do not detract from a well-developed and coherent response that fully satisfies the requirements of Academic Task 1.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory statement, moves into a well-crafted overview paragraph, describes the current layout, then outlines the future changes, and concludes with a summary of service expansions. Paragraphing is used effectively, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the visual data. Cohesive devices such as 'At present', 'After redevelopment', 'In addition', and 'Thus' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the comparison. Referencing is clear throughout, contributing to a seamless and coherent reading experience that meets the criteria for Band 8.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.5
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical range suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Vocabulary is used with precision to describe spatial arrangements and changes, employing terms such as 'redevelopment', 'Y-shaped arrangement', 'install', and 'substantially increase'. Less common lexical items and collocations are handled skillfully ('proposed changes', 'passenger services', 'bag-drop facility'). There are only occasional minor inaccuracies in word choice, but these do not impede communication. Overall, the vocabulary is varied, precise, and appropriate for a high-band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The response displays a wide variety of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing good control over subordination, relative clauses, and passive structures (e.g., 'The plans illustrate...', 'the airport is expected to undergo...', 'a sky train will also be installed...'). Punctuation is accurate, and verb tenses are handled correctly when shifting between present realities ('the airport has a relatively simple layout') and future projections ('the central walkway will be extended'). Only very occasional minor slips occur, fully supporting a Band 8 score.
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