Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-05
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 given diagram illustrates the layout of southwest airport and how it looks after redesign.
Overall, the airport has been undergone significant transformation from limited gates to more modernised tram network and installed more gates. Some features are remain unchanged and some are newly built.
At present, there was only eight walkway on the northside. Two passport control and customs were situated in the middle ajacent to security. While in the northwest side cafe and check in loacted, and opposite it departuresand arrival were seen in the south side.
Atfer redesign, The eight gates and walkway was completey replaced by modernised sky train and new 18 gates has been installed. Security, passport control and customs remain retained in the middle. Whereas much new amenities were occured in the northeast atm and car hire both were added and oppsoite it bag dopped was introduced. While cafe operated multi functionaly and check in was relocated . The departures and arrivals became wider for the easy access.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by presenting an overview of the changes at Southwest Airport and selecting main features for comparison, such as the expanded gates and the new sky train. However, the development is uneven. While the major structural shifts are identified, some descriptions are under-developed or vague, such as stating that 'some features are remain unchanged' without clearly specifying all persistent elements. The information is generally accurate according to the visual data, but the lack of a fully extended comparison of every key zone keeps the task achievement at the targeted level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The report maintains a coherent overall arrangement with a clear paragraph structure separating the introduction, the overview, the current layout, and the future layout. Progression is attempted through spatial markers and transition words like 'At present' and 'Atfer redesign'. However, cohesion is at times mechanical or faulty, seen in awkward referencing and abrupt transitions between sentences, such as 'Whereas much new amenities were occured in the northeast atm and car hire both were added'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two time periods, but internal linking devices need more flexibility and precision.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying basic concepts related to airport layouts and facility changes. The writer attempts less common vocabulary such as 'modernised', 'transformation', and 'relocated', but these attempts are accompanied by notable inaccuracies in word choice, form, and collocation, such as 'bag dopped', 'amenities were occured', and 'multi functionaly'. Spelling and word-choice errors are present ('ajacent', 'Atfer'), but they do not entirely impede communication. To reach a higher level, the writer needs to exercise greater precision and control over less common lexical items.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writing demonstrates a mix of simple and some complex sentence forms, though attempts at complexity frequently result in grammatical errors. There are noticeable errors in verb forms, tense consistency, and prepositions, such as 'the airport has been undergone', 'there was only eight walkway', and 'features are remain unchanged'. Punctuation and article usage also show frequent lapses. While the reader can generally follow the intended meaning despite these errors, the high density of structural slips prevents the grammar from achieving a higher rating.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.