Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-30
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 plans illustrate the differences of Southwest Airport between current state and after redevelopment state next year.
Overall, the airport is planned to expand for handling more passangers as well as there are plans for incorporating more modern facilities for the users.
Before security and passport control area, there are only one check-in on the west side of the departure section with a cafe on the opposite. As per redevelopment plan, check-in counter will be moved to the west sideof the departure section, a new bag drop counter in the place of check-in counter and the check-in counter will be moved to the south west corner. The empty arrival section will be intoduced with cafe, ATM and car hire service.
After the security and passport control area, aeroplane gates are upgraded from 8 to 18 with introduction of skytrain for easier movement for increased number of passanger. To make rooms for gates, the design of gate area is planned to change into Y shape. Aditionally, there will be shops after passport control and security area which indicates the commercialisation of the airport.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student successfully addresses the prompt by outlining the main features of Southwest Airport in its current state and the proposed changes for next year. An overview is provided, stating that the airport will expand to handle more passengers and modern facilities. Key spatial changes are reported, such as the extension of the concourse into a Y-shape, the increase in gates from 8 to 18, the addition of a skytrain, and new facilities like shops, an ATM, and car hire. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting the check-in relocation details. Overall, the information is adequately selected and reported, fulfilling the requirements of Band 6.5, rounded to 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is organized into four distinct paragraphs, following a logical progression from introduction to overall trends, pre-security areas, and post-security zones. Cohesive devices such as 'Before', 'As per redevelopment plan', and 'After' are used to guide the reader through the maps. However, referencing is sometimes unclear, and cohesive links can feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different sections of the airport layout, supporting an overall coherent structure aligned with Band 6.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, incorporating terms like 'redevelopment', 'commercialisation', 'facilities', and 'concourse'. There are, however, several spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'passangers' instead of 'passengers', 'intoduced' instead of 'introduced', and 'Aditionally' instead of 'Additionally'. Attempts at less common vocabulary are generally successful in communicating the intended meaning despite minor inaccuracies, placing the response firmly in Band 6.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'Before security and passport control area, there are only one check-in on the west side...' and 'After the security and passport control area, aeroplane gates are upgraded...'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout, such as 'there are only one check-in', 'west sideof', and missing articles ('the check-in counter', 'Y shape'). Nevertheless, these errors rarely impede communication, allowing the response to achieve a Band 6.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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