Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-13

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 4.0)

The diagram compares the current condition of the sites of an airport with the future development design of the site in the next year.

Overall, currnet site of an airport has four catageroies while future airport has seven catageroies.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response makes a basic attempt to introduce the comparison and give an overall statement, but it does not adequately summarise the plans. The claim that the current airport has “four categories” and the future one “seven categories” is not a clear or accurate account of the main changes shown. Important features are omitted, including the expansion from 8 to 18 gates, the Y-shaped concourse, the sky train, and changes to facilities such as check-in and car hire. The response is also far below the required 150 words, leaving the task only minimally addressed. To improve, report the major structural changes and several specific relocations or additions, supported by accurate comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a simple, recognisable structure: an introductory sentence is followed by an overall statement, and “Overall” signals the second point. This gives the short response some basic organisation. However, there is no developed progression through the plans, and the reader receives no grouped details about the terminal, concourse, or new facilities. The two sentences do not build a meaningful comparison, partly because “four categories” and “seven categories” are not explained. Develop the response in clear paragraphs—for example, an overview followed by details about the concourse and then the terminal facilities—and use references such as “the existing layout” and “the redeveloped airport” to connect comparisons.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses a small amount of task-related vocabulary, including “airport,” “future development,” and “design,” and the intended comparison is broadly understandable. However, the range is very limited, and “categories” is an imprecise choice for describing airport areas or facilities. There are also noticeable spelling errors in “currnet” and “catageroies,” which weaken clarity and control. The response needs more precise map vocabulary to describe locations and changes, such as “concourse,” “gate,” “terminal,” “relocated,” and “added.” Use these terms to identify actual features rather than relying on a general count of categories.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The two sentences are understandable and show a basic attempt at a complex comparison, particularly in “compares the current condition … with the future development design.” However, the grammatical range is narrow, with no developed sentences describing locations or changes. The phrase “the current condition of the sites of an airport” is awkwardly constructed, and “future airport has” would be clearer with an article and a more precise noun phrase. The overview sentence also lacks a clear grammatical relationship between the airport layouts and the stated categories. Practise accurate comparative structures, such as “The existing terminal has…, whereas the redeveloped one will…,” and vary sentence patterns when reporting specific changes.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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