Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The two maps illustrate the current layout of the southwest airport and show the proposed redevelopment plan for the same site in the future.

Overall, it is clear that the area will undergo significant changes. The walkways will be removed and replaced with a skytrain. In addition, several new facilities such as, a drop-off zone, a ATM, a car hire and a skytrain facility will be introduced.

At present, the area is quite simple. In the northwest part, there are eight gates, from 1 to 18 and walkways are siatuated in the middle, which are connected to each other. In the center, there are security, passport control and customs sections. In the sourthern part, there are two terminals. In the departure area, a check-in counter, and a cafe, whereas the arrivals area has no facilities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to summarise the main features of the airport maps, identifying key modifications such as the extension of the gates into a Y-shape and the introduction of a skytrain. However, the response falls short of the required 150-word minimum, containing only 135 words, which impacts the overall completeness of the task. Additionally, there are notable factual inaccuracies: the student states there are gates from 1 to 18 in the current map (whereas there are only 8 gates currently), and claims the arrivals area has no facilities, ignoring passport control and customs which are clearly depicted. Due to these descriptive errors and the under-length penalty, the task is only partially addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is structured into three brief paragraphs: an introduction, an overview paragraph, and a body paragraph describing the current layout. There is a basic logical flow from present to future, and transitional markers are attempted. However, paragraphing is underdeveloped, and the proposed changes are mentioned entirely in the overview rather than being fully detailed in a dedicated body paragraph comparing the 'now' and 'after' states. Cohesive devices are used simply and repetitively, leading to a somewhat disjointed structure that prevents the response from achieving a higher band.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary for describing maps, using functional terms such as 'layout', 'redevelopment plan', 'facilities', and 'terminals'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors and awkward collocations, such as writing 'a drop-off zone, a ATM' (using 'a' before a vowel sound) and spelling errors like 'siatuated' instead of 'situated' and 'sourthern' instead of 'southern'. The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive, preventing the response from reaching Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses ('walkways are siatuated in the middle, which are connected to each other') and compound structures. However, grammatical control is inconsistent. There are errors in article usage ('a ATM'), spelling ('siatuated'), and prepositions. While meaning is generally understandable despite these errors, the frequency of basic slips and spelling mistakes keeps the score at Band 5.5.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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