Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
The maps compares the site of an airport at present and after redevelopment the following year.
Overall, the most significant change in the future airport map would be the expanded number of boarding gates and other ameneties.
Firstly, the existing airport plan includes eight boarding gates in the upper northern region with a walkway between gates, which is followed by the two distinct divisions to its south. The first one is security and passport control that has chech in counter and a cafe followed by departure entry area . Next division has passport control, customs and arrivals exit.
In the redeveloped plan, starting from the top,the number of boarding gates would be increased to 18 with a sky train for comfaortable access to different gates. New shops will be introduced. As one enters from the departures area, he can beverages in the cafe, put their luggage at the bag drop area and then check in at counter easily. whereas, new parking area, ATM and cafe will be constructed at the arrivals area too.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the airport before and after redevelopment and making relevant comparisons. The overview captures the most significant transformation, namely the expansion of boarding gates and amenities. Key details such as the change from 8 to 18 gates, the addition of a sky train, new shops, bag drop, and changes to the arrivals and departures layouts are accurately reported. However, the explanation of the passenger flow in the departures area contains slight mechanical confusion ("he can beverages in the cafe"). Overall, the task is covered well with clear supported details, satisfying Band 7 requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response is logically organised and easy to follow. Paragraphing is used appropriately, dividing the response into a clear introduction, an overview, a description of the current layout, and the future layout. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the maps, such as "Firstly", "In the redeveloped plan", and "starting from the top". However, referencing and transitions within sentences occasionally feel slightly mechanical, preventing the score from reaching a higher band. Paragraphs flow well and overall logical progression is maintained throughout.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for describing maps and spatial changes, using terms such as "redevelopment", "boarding gates", "concourse", and "amenities". There are some attempts at less common lexical items, but occasional word choice and collocation errors occur, such as "expanded number" instead of "increased number" and the missing verb phrase "he can [have] beverages in the cafe". Spelling and word formation have a few minor lapses, like "ameneties" and "comfaortable". Despite these limitations, communication is not impeded, fitting the Band 6 descriptor well.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. The student successfully incorporates modal and conditional structures, such as "would be the expanded number" and "As one enters... he can...". However, there are notable grammatical errors and typos, including missing words ("he can beverages in the cafe") and spelling errors ("chech in", "comfaortable"). Punctuation and spacing issues also appear around commas. While these errors do not impede overall communication, they occur with enough frequency to prevent the score from reaching Band 7.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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