Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-29
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 figures below illustrates the current structure of airport and how it will look like after redevelopment which is scheduled for next year.
Overall, its evident that, major modifications would be introduced in the new plan. New modules will be added namely, ATM, Sky train, Care hire, and Bag drop. Walkaway section will be divided in two parts. Furthermore, shops will be added in the top left corner just below the walkaway section. Moreover, number of entrances for departures and arrivals sections will get incremented.
On the one hand, the current structure of airport comprises 4 different modules namely, check-in, cafe, walkaway, and gates. Check-in and cafe are located inside the departure section whereas arrival section is vacant. In addition, departure section consists of security and passport control whereas arrival section comprises passport control and customs. Walkaway section accounted for two walkaway modules with eight gates.
Turning to the new plan, four new modules will get added namely, ATM, Sky train, and Car hire. Furthermore, walkaway section would be divided in two parts. Departure section will contain Bag drop, Check in, and Cafe. In contrast, arrival section will comprise Cafe, Car hire, and ATM. Shops will be introduced on the top left side just below the walkway section. Furthermore, ten new gates will be added more.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student covers the main features of the two maps, detailing the layout now and the changes planned for next year. An overview is provided at the beginning, though it is slightly brief. Key developments, such as the Y-shaped extension of the concourse, the addition of the Sky train, shops, car hire, and changes to check-in and bag drop, are mentioned. However, there are some inaccuracies regarding the current layout (e.g., stating that the 'arrival section is vacant' when passport control, customs, and arrivals are clearly present) and some minor misinterpretations of the plan. Despite these minor lapses, the response successfully contrasts the before and after scenarios, satisfying the requirements for a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response is organized into clear paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, a body paragraph describing the current layout, and a final body paragraph outlining the future plans. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'On the one hand', 'Turning to the new plan', and 'Furthermore' are used to guide the reader through the comparison, although some transitions feel a bit mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two timeframes. While referencing is generally clear, the progression between ideas within paragraphs could be smoother and more logically integrated, placing this section comfortably at a Band 6.5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing maps and alterations, using terms like 'redevelopment', 'modifications', 'conprise', and 'introduced'. However, there are several lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'Care hire' (spelling error for Car hire), 'walkaway' instead of walkway/concourse, and 'get incremented' or 'get added', which sound unnatural and informal. Spelling errors like 'evidently' (written as 'its evident') and repetitive sentence structures limit the lexical score to a Band 5.5, as these inaccuracies occasionally distract the reader.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing future modals ('will be introduced', 'would be divided') and passive voice structures ('shops will be introduced'). However, there are noticeable grammatical and punctuation errors throughout, such as missing apostrophes ('its evident'), redundant phrasing ('added more'), and awkward passive constructions ('four new modules will get added'). While these errors do not completely obscure meaning, they occur with enough frequency to prevent the writing from achieving a higher band, making a Band 6.0 an accurate reflection of grammatical control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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