Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Changes at West Park Secondary School between 1950 and 2010

The diagram shows the changes that have taken place at West Park Secondary School since its construction in 1950.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

West Park Secondary School development

1950

  • Main road at the top
  • Three houses in the top left
  • School building in the top right
  • Farmland in the bottom left
  • Playground in the bottom right

1980

  • Main road at the top
  • Car park in the top left
  • Science block in the top middle
  • School main building in the top right
  • Sports field in the bottom left
  • Playground in the bottom right

2010

  • Main road at the top
  • Science block in the top left
  • School main building in the top right
  • Large car park in the bottom left
  • Sports field in the bottom middle
  • Playground in the bottom right

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 physical transformations of West Park Secondary School over a sixty-year period, starting from its establishment in 1950 through to 2010.

In 1950, the site was relatively simple, featuring a row of houses on the left and a school building on the right, both situated along the main road. The southern portion of the land was divided between farmland and a playground. By 1980, the houses had been demolished to make way for a car park and a new science block. Simultaneously, the farmland was converted into a sports field, while the school building was expanded to include a main building.

Further developments occurred by 2010. The car park was significantly enlarged, occupying the entire bottom-left area, which necessitated the relocation of the sports field to the centre of the site. The science block and the main school building remained in their 1980 positions along the main road. Overall, the school site evolved from a mixed-use area into a dedicated educational campus, with a notable increase in parking capacity and a more structured layout for sports and recreational facilities.

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

How to write about maps

transformations
marked changes in the appearance or character of something
demolished
pulled down or destroyed a building completely
converted
changed the form, character, or function of something
necessitated
made something necessary as a result or consequence
relocation
the action of moving to a new place
evolved
developed gradually over a long period of time

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The school underwent significant structural expansion and land-use changes, transitioning from a small site with residential housing and farmland to a larger educational facility with expanded parking and sports amenities.

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.

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