Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-27
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 5.0)
The maps illustrate the current layout of the area of an airport and show the proposed redevelopment plan for the same site in the future.
Overall, the area shifted from a basic airport to an advance airport. The number of gates will be increase in the next plan. While walkways will be removed and replaced with skytrain area. The number of facilities will be increased like bag drop, ATM system, network of skytrain and car hire.
At present, the area is not well facilitated. At arrival side the area is empty and the passport control customs are located. In the departure side there is cafe area and check-in area and there is also a security passport control system. To the north of the airport the area is allocated for walk and there are eight gates for in and out purpose.
According to the proposed plan, the airport area will be completely upgraded. At arrival terminal the area inside is empty, this place will be filled with various facilities like cafe zone, ATM system and there will also a car hire option. To the west side there is departure terminal, this area will also be considerable upgraded with bag drop facility. while walkways will be completely removed and replaced with skytrain with addition gates for easily in out.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to summarise the main features of the maps, covering general changes such as the expansion of gates from 1 to 18, the addition of a sky train, and the inclusion of new facilities like a car hire desk and ATM. However, the response lacks a cohesive, well-developed overview paragraph, and the reporting of specific data points is somewhat vague and imprecise. For instance, the text states that 'the area inside is empty' at the arrival terminal, which does not accurately reflect the existing layout featuring passport control and customs. Additionally, the comparison between the current and future layouts could be more clearly structured to highlight the spatial reconfigurations. Consequently, the task is addressed only partially, fitting Band 5 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is organised into four paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the current and future layouts respectively. However, the progression of ideas is occasionally disjointed, and the links between sentences feel mechanical. Cohesive devices are used in a limited and repetitive manner (e.g., starting multiple sentences with 'At present' or 'According to the proposed plan'). Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion within the body paragraphs is weak, with abrupt transitions between disparate features such as the cafe, check-in, and security systems. These characteristics align closely with Band 5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is somewhat limited and repetitive, with frequent reliance on basic terms like 'area', 'facilities', and 'empty'. There are noticeable word choice and word formation errors, such as writing 'advance airport' instead of 'advanced airport', 'gates for in and out purpose', and 'considerable upgraded' instead of 'considerably upgraded'. While the student attempts to use some task-specific vocabulary (e.g., 'terminal', 'bag drop', 'skytrain'), the inaccuracies in collocation and lexical control restrict the score to a Band 5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but attempts at complex sentences are frequently faulty. There are several grammatical and punctuation errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('The number of gates will be increase'), fragment sentences ('while walkways will be completely removed...'), and missing prepositions ('At arrival side'). Punctuation is also lacking in places, which occasionally causes strain for the reader. Due to the high frequency of non-systematic errors in basic and complex structures alike, a Band 5 is appropriate.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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