Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Comparison of current airport layout and proposed future redevelopment plans

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. Write at least 150 words.

Airport Redevelopment Plans

Now

Departures area with Check-in and Cafe
Security and Passport Control
Passport Control and Customs
Walkway leading to 8 gates

After Development

Departures area with Check-in, Bag drop, and Cafe
Arrivals area with Cafe, ATM, and Car hire
Central Shops area
Security, Passport Control, and Customs
Y-shaped terminal with 18 gates and a Sky train

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Band 8 sample answer

The provided diagrams illustrate the current layout of an airport and the proposed modifications scheduled for next year. Overall, the airport will experience a substantial expansion in capacity and amenities, transforming from a linear structure into a more complex Y-shaped terminal.

Currently, the airport features a simple layout with a single walkway leading to 8 gates. Passengers enter through a departures area containing a check-in desk and a cafe, followed by security and passport control. The arrivals section is similarly compact, housing passport control and customs.

Following the redevelopment, the terminal will be significantly enlarged. The most prominent change is the construction of a Y-shaped extension, which will house 18 gates served by a new sky train. Furthermore, the central area will incorporate a new shopping zone. The departures area will be upgraded to include a bag drop facility alongside the existing check-in and cafe. Meanwhile, the arrivals section will be enhanced with additional amenities, specifically an ATM and a car hire office. These developments indicate a major shift towards accommodating higher passenger volumes and providing a more comprehensive range of services.

182 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

How to write about maps

Overview: how much the area changed and what stayed the same.
Use location language: to the north of, adjacent to, replaced by.
Group changes by area or by type, such as housing, roads and green space.

substantially: to a great or significant extent
incorporate: to include or take in as part of
prominent: important, noticeable, or standing out clearly
amenities: useful or desirable features of a building
accommodating: providing enough space for a specific purpose
comprehensive: including all or nearly all elements or aspects

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The airport is set to undergo significant expansion, most notably by increasing the number of gates from 8 to 18 and introducing new passenger facilities such as a sky train, bag drop, and car hire services.

How long should an IELTS Task 1 answer be?

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How do I describe maps?

Overview: how much the area changed and what stayed the same. Use location language: to the north of, adjacent to, replaced by. Group changes by area or by type, such as housing, roads and green space.