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.
This essay question is from Cambridge IELTS 16 Test 3 Writing Task 1.
SOUTHWEST AIRPORT
Sample Essay
The plans illustrate the current layout of Southwest Airport and the proposed redevelopment for next year. Overall, the airport will undergo substantial expansion, with more gates added and new facilities introduced to improve convenience for both departing and arriving passengers.
At present, the departures entrance is on the left-hand side, with passport control and security straight ahead. Following redevelopment, a bag-drop area will be installed before passport control. Although the check-in counters will be repositioned to make room for this, they will remain just prior to passport control. The café will also be moved closer to the entrance. Beyond security, passengers currently pass some shops and proceed along a concourse with eight gates, using a moving walkway. After redevelopment, the concourse will be extended to 18 gates, and the walkway will be replaced by a sky train for faster access.
In the arrivals hall, passport control and customs are the only facilities at present. Next year, however, passengers will also have access to a café, ATM machines, and car hire services immediately after clearing customs.
Vocabulary for describing “before” and “after” in IELTS maps/airport plans:
| Function | Before | After / Future / Redeveloped |
|---|---|---|
| Position/placement | located at / situated on / at present | will be relocated to / will be moved to / positioned at |
| Addition | there is / currently has / at present | a new … will be added / will be installed / will be introduced |
| Replacement | N/A | will replace / will take the place of / substituted by |
| Expansion | N/A | will be extended / lengthened / enlarged |
| Accessibility | can be accessed via / passengers use | passengers will travel via / will use / will reach by |
| Facilities | consists of / has / provides | will include / will offer / will provide |