Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-02

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 maps illustrate the site of an airpot today's and how it will look after redevelopment next year.

Overall, it is clear that the airpot has undergone significant redevelopment. The some features have been removed and some features have same and add.

In the first airpot, top floor looks rectangular and there are 8 gates which people go there for a walkway, while next year plan airpot looks different there shapes like Y and the number of gates are 18 and there develop sky train. The third floor today's don't have shops but second airpot develop shops. In addition, the second floors are same in now and after.

The first floors have lot of changes now and after. Today's have only check in and cafe, whereas after development there are availables check-in, bag drop, cafe, ATM, and car hire. Which departues area today's only one enter place but after there have two. In addittion arrivals also one enter place and after there are 2 and there small change is apace area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by attempting to summarise the main features and compare the airport 'now' and 'after redevelopment'. However, the information is sometimes described vaguely or confusedly, leading to under-developed ideas. For instance, the mention of 'third floor' and 'second floor' misinterprets the layout of the terminal plan, which shows ground-level areas rather than multi-storey floors. While key changes such as the extension of the concourse into a Y-shape, the addition of shops, and new facilities like the sky train and car hire are noted, the lack of precision in describing locations and features means some parts are only partially developed. To reach a higher level, the writer needs to select and report the main spatial relationships and features more accurately without introducing non-existent structural divisions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response presents a coherent overall arrangement by dividing the information into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs focusing on different sections of the maps. However, the progression of ideas is frequently hindered by mechanical and faulty cohesion. Transition markers like 'In the first airpot' and 'The third floor today's' feel awkward, and referencing is often unclear, such as using pronouns that do not clearly link back to the correct map elements. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal logical links within paragraphs need strengthening to guide the reader smoothly from one point to the next. Improving the variety and accuracy of cohesive devices would significantly enhance the readability and flow of the response.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The lexical range used is adequate to communicate basic observations about the maps, but it is limited and hindered by frequent word choice, spelling, and word form errors. Words like 'airpot' are misspelt multiple times, and terms like 'enter place' for entrances or 'apace area' demonstrate inadequate vocabulary control. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary such as 'redevelopment', 'concourse', and 'facilities', but these are often combined with unnatural phrasing or grammatical mismatches. Although communication is generally maintained despite these flaws, the high frequency of lexical slips prevents the response from achieving a higher score. Expanding topic-specific vocabulary for describing spatial changes and diagrams would help elevate this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as using comparative clauses ('whereas after development there are availables...') and conditional temporal clauses. However, control over basic grammar is weak, featuring frequent errors in subject-verb agreement ('there are availables', 'there develop sky train'), article usage, missing prepositions, and awkward word order. Punctuation is also sparse and sometimes incorrect, leading to run-on structures or sentence fragments like 'Which departues area today's only one enter place but after there have two.' These errors require some effort from the reader to parse the intended meaning. Developing greater accuracy in basic sentence construction and verb patterns is essential for improvement.

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