The plans below show the site of an airport now and how it will look after redevelopment next year.
Sample Response
The two maps represent the current layout of Southwest Airport and the proposed redevelopment that will take place next year after the renovation work is complete.
Generally speaking, the airport is set to undergo a substantial transformation, with notable additions and improvements in infrastructure, passenger facilities, and accessibility.
At present, Southwest Airport consists of a single terminal designated for departures and arrivals, positioned on the left and right ends of the airport. A small walkway leads to the gates, which are accessed via a narrow concourse. The airport facilities now are limited, with only a café and a check-in area in the departure area, and the arrivals area is virtually empty.
As the airport development plan suggests, the terminal will be expanded significantly with 18 gates, new amenities and more departure and arrival areas. In the departure area, the check-in counter will be relocated to the right, making room for a new bag drop. Additional features such as a café, ATM, and car hire services will be incorporated into the terminal's arrival area, enhancing passenger convenience. A sky train will be introduced to connect the main terminal to the newly added gates, which will increase from 8 to 18. Therefore, the proposed upgrades to Southwest Airport will greatly enhance its functionality, capacity, and passenger experience.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Correct the spatial description Original: positioned on the left and right ends of the airport Suggested revision: with departures on the left and arrivals on the right Why it matters: The left-right positions apply to the two areas, not to the terminal itself.
- 2. Fix adverb placement Original: facilities now are limited Suggested revision: facilities are currently limited Why it matters: The adverb belongs after the linking verb in this sentence.
- 3. Identify the expanded feature Original: the terminal will be expanded significantly with 18 gates Suggested revision: the gate concourse will be expanded from 8 to 18 gates Why it matters: The plans specifically show the gate concourse changing shape and capacity.
- 4. Correct the proposed change Original: more departure and arrival areas Suggested revision: additional entrances Why it matters: The plans add access points rather than creating extra departure and arrival areas.
- 5. Remove redundant timing Original: will take place next year after the renovation work is complete Suggested revision: is planned for next year Why it matters: The original wording repeats the future timing and completion idea unnecessarily.
- 6. Use a direct overview marker Original: Generally speaking Suggested revision: Overall Why it matters: ‘Overall’ introduces the principal map changes more concisely.
- 7. Make the overview specific Original: notable additions and improvements in infrastructure, passenger facilities, and accessibility Suggested revision: an expansion from 8 to 18 gates, a new sky train, and additional passenger facilities Why it matters: The visual supports these concrete headline changes more clearly than the broad original wording.
- 8. Describe the internal division Original: single terminal designated for departures and arrivals Suggested revision: terminal divided into departure and arrival areas Why it matters: The map shows two functional halves within the terminal rather than one undifferentiated space.
- 9. Mention the changed shape Suggested revision: Add that the straight gate concourse will become a larger Y-shaped layout. Why it matters: The new concourse shape is one of the most prominent structural changes in the plans.
- 10. Include omitted facilities Suggested revision: Mention the new shops near the concourse and the additional café in the departure area. Why it matters: Both additions are visible in the redevelopment plan but absent from the response.
Suggested Rewrites
- positioned on the left and right ends of the airport with departures on the left and arrivals on the right
- facilities now are limited facilities are currently limited
- the terminal will be expanded significantly with 18 gates the gate concourse will be expanded from 8 to 18 gates
- more departure and arrival areas additional entrances
- will take place next year after the renovation work is complete is planned for next year
- Generally speaking Overall
Why this response received Band 7.5
This is a well-organised, fluent comparison that accurately highlights the gate expansion, sky train, relocated check-in, bag drop, and new arrivals facilities. The overview is rather general, and the report omits the shops and the changed Y-shaped gate layout while inaccurately implying that additional departure and arrival areas will be created. Make the overview more concrete and ensure every claimed structural change is visible on the plans.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
Most major changes are selected and accurately described, but the overview lacks specific key features and a few structural details are omitted or imprecise.
State the doubled gate capacity and Y-shaped concourse in the overview, then add the shops without claiming extra departure or arrival areas.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses logically from overview to the present layout and proposed changes, with clear paragraphing and generally effective cohesion.
Replace the evaluative concluding sentence with one final factual comparison so the report remains tightly focused.
Lexical Resource
A broad and mostly precise range of map language is used naturally, with only occasional vague or awkward phrasing.
Use exact spatial terms such as ‘departure and arrival halls’ and ‘Y-shaped concourse’ instead of broad references to areas and infrastructure.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is handled with strong accuracy, and the few awkward constructions do not impede communication.
Refine word order in phrases such as ‘the airport facilities are currently limited’ to make otherwise accurate sentences fully natural.
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