Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-31

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 two maps illustrate the present layout of an airport and development site of an airport in Southwest in next year.

Overall, enclosed arrival plant will add coffee, ATM and car hire. The North-east and south east would be establish whith the shape of Y. Passengers reache to the plane with foot in walkway ,but can modified to sky train. shop will be added along with security passport control.

Departures consist only one entrance, later on three main gates would have be built. Similarly for arrivals gate from one to two which lies below.Security passport control and passport control cutoms are in same position as future. Few number of gates from 1-8 to 1-18 gates.Bag drop will be installed inside the departures. Position of check in will be switched by coffee.

In south east corner, three new design will be install with cafe, ATM and car hire. A certain area would be added in south - east. Walkway will be shightly shift to middle alon gwith north direction.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify several important changes, including the Y-shaped concourse, the increase from gates 1–8 to 1–18, and the addition of a sky train, bag drop, café, ATM and car hire. However, some descriptions are inaccurate or unclear: the arrivals area does not gain a second entrance, and the check-in counter is moved to the inner wall beside Arrivals rather than simply “switched by coffee.” The overview also says shops will be added “along with security passport control,” although security and passport control are not new features. To strengthen the response, distinguish clearly between what remains in place and what changes, and describe the main locations more precisely, especially the concourse extension and the new facilities in Arrivals.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an opening, an overview and further detail, so there is a basic attempt to organise the comparison. It also uses a few linking expressions, such as “Overall” and “Similarly.” However, the progression is difficult to follow because details shift between the terminal, gates and compass directions without a clear sequence. For example, “Departures consist only one entrance” is followed by a claim about “three main gates,” which does not clearly connect to the map. Repeated references to the south-east and the walkway also make the description feel fragmented. Group the information by area—first the concourse, then Departures, then Arrivals—and use clear comparisons such as “whereas” or “in contrast” to show how each area changes.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt relevant map vocabulary, including “layout,” “walkway,” “sky train,” “bag drop” and “car hire,” and you use “Y” to convey the new concourse shape. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make the meaning hard to understand. “Arrival plant” is not an appropriate term for the arrivals area, while “three new design” does not identify the facilities being added. Spelling errors such as “whith,” “shightly” and “alon” also reduce clarity. Aim for precise location and change vocabulary, and check spelling carefully. For example, use “terminal” or “arrivals area” rather than “plant,” and describe facilities as being “added” or “installed” in a specific part of the building.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

There is an attempt to use both simple statements and more complex forms, including “but can modified to sky train” and “which lies below,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in verb forms and sentence construction occur throughout: “will be establish,” “would have be built” and “will be install” need correctly formed passive verbs. Articles and prepositions are also often missing or misplaced, as in “Departures consist only one entrance” and “in Southwest in next year.” These problems sometimes make it difficult to identify exactly what is changing. Practise accurate passive structures for future plans (“will be added,” “will be extended”) and build complete sentences with clear subjects and verbs before adding comparisons or location clauses.

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.