Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The images illustrates a map of an airport in it's recent form and planned changes that will take place within next year. Overall, the number of gates will be more than double in the next year. The walk way will be replaced by sky train and there will be two gates each for arrival and departure of the passengers.
First of all, the passengers would be able to use bad drop service as soon as they enter the airport which was previously consticted to cafe and check ins only. After the security procedure, the travellers can enjoy shopping as there is addition of shops in the block. The passengers can use sky trains instead of walking to navigate to the flights.
On arriving to the airport, the visitors would be able to use ATMs in case they need cash as per the planning. At the same time, they could also take the suttle service from the car hire section after the rennovation.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response addresses the task partially by attempting to summarise the main features of the airport plans. While an overview is provided stating that the number of gates will more than double and the walkway will be replaced by a sky train, some parts of the task are only lightly touched upon or under-developed. For instance, the specific layout changes in the terminal building, such as the reconfiguration of check-in, bag drop, and passport control, are described in a limited and somewhat unclear manner. The writer mentions that passengers 'would be able to use bad drop service' and 'addition of shops', but fails to clearly contrast the 'now' and 'after' states comprehensively across all key areas of the airport. Ideas are presented, but they lack the deeper extension and comparative detail required to reach a higher band level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
There is some organisation evident in the essay, with an introductory paragraph followed by body paragraphs discussing different areas of the airport. However, there is no clear overall progression throughout the text, and the logical transition between the current layout and the future plans is somewhat disjointed. Cohesive devices are used mechanically or are occasionally inadequate, such as the abrupt transition 'First of all,' and the imprecise referencing in phrases like 'On arriving to the airport'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal flow within paragraphs feels fragmented rather than smoothly developing a central theme. To improve, the writer needs to ensure that sentences and paragraphs are linked more naturally to guide the reader through the comparison of the two map stages.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate for the task. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary related to the topic, such as 'redevelopment', 'navigation', and 'rennovation', but these attempts are accompanied by noticeable errors in word choice, form, and spelling. For example, 'bad drop' is used instead of 'bag drop', 'consticted' instead of restricted, 'suttle' instead of shuttle, and 'rennovation' contains a spelling error. Additionally, phrases like 'map of an airport in it's recent form' display awkward collocation. These lexical inaccuracies and spelling slips occur frequently enough to cause occasional difficulty for the reader and prevent the response from achieving a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writer uses a limited range of grammatical structures, relying mostly on simple sentences alongside a few awkward attempts at complex forms. There are frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, and prepositions throughout the text, such as 'The images illustrates' (subject-verb agreement), 'in it's recent form' (incorrect use of the possessive apostrophe), and 'On arriving to the airport' (incorrect prepositional usage). Furthermore, tense consistency is occasionally unsteady when shifting between current features and future plans. These frequent errors in basic and attempted complex structures can cause some difficulty for the reader, characteristic of a restricted grammatical control.
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