Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

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, an ATM, car hire and a skytrain facility will be introduced.

At present, the area is quite simple. In the northwest part, there are eight gates, and walkways are siatuated in the middle. In the center, there is security, passport control and customs sections. In the departure area, there is a check-in counter, and a cafe, whereas the arrivals area has no facilities.

According to the proposed plan, the airport area will undergo significant transformation. The walkways will be demolished and replaced with skytrain facility and the number of gates will be increased from 8 to 18. On the arrivals side, a cafe, an ATM, and car hire facility will be added. In the departure area, shops and a drop-off area will be constructed. However, security, passport control, and customs will be unchanged.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by comparing the current layout of Southwest Airport with the proposed redevelopment plan for next year. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the main changes such as the removal of walkways, the introduction of a skytrain, and new facilities. Key features are reported, including the expansion of the gates from 8 to 18, the addition of shops, a drop-off zone, and car hire facilities. The information is generally accurate and supported by the visual data, fulfilling the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory paragraph, followed by a clear overview, a description of the current layout, and finally the future plan. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different sections of the maps. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well, such as 'At present,' 'whereas,' and 'According to the proposed plan.' However, occasional minor cohesion choices could be smoother, placing this comfortably at a Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate and sufficiently precise for the task, with terms like 'redevelopment plan,' 'demolished,' 'transformation,' and 'facilities.' There are a few vocabulary and spelling inaccuracies, such as 'siatuated' instead of 'situated' and referring to the bag drop as a 'drop-off zone.' Despite these minor slips, the range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning effectively, aligning with the Band 6.0 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing passive structures appropriately, such as 'will be removed and replaced' and 'will be constructed.' While there are some grammatical errors—most notably the spelling mistake 'siatuated' and minor punctuation slips—the majority of sentences are clear and error-free, and communication is never impeded. This control over grammar and sentence structure corresponds to a Band 6.5.

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