Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Changes in road access and facilities at City Hospital between 2007 and 2010

The two maps below show road access to a city hospital in 2007 and 2010.

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

City Hospital 2007

2007

City Hospital in the north
Ring Road encircling the hospital
Hospital Rd running south from the hospital to City Road
Bus stops along both sides of Hospital Rd
Combined staff and public car park on the east side of Hospital Rd

2010

City Hospital in the north
Ring Road encircling the hospital
Two roundabouts on Hospital Rd
Bus station on the west side of Hospital Rd
Staff car park on the east side of Hospital Rd
Public car park on the east side of the Ring Road

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 maps illustrate the modifications made to the road access and facilities surrounding City Hospital over a three-year period from 2007 to 2010.

Overall, the hospital area experienced substantial structural changes, including the addition of roundabouts, the construction of a dedicated bus station, and the segregation of public and staff parking areas.

In 2007, access to the hospital was provided via Hospital Road, which connected the Ring Road to City Road. At that time, bus stops were situated along both sides of Hospital Road, and a single car park served both staff and the public on the eastern side of the road. By 2010, the layout had been transformed. Two roundabouts were installed on Hospital Road, one near the hospital entrance and another at the junction with City Road. The bus stops were replaced by a larger bus station located on the west side of Hospital Road.

Furthermore, the parking arrangements were significantly altered. The original combined car park was replaced by a dedicated staff car park on the east side of Hospital Road. Simultaneously, a new, separate public car park was constructed to the east of the Ring Road, providing improved access for visitors.

196 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.

illustrate: to show or explain something using a visual
modifications: slight changes made to improve or adjust something
segregation: the act of separating people or things apart
transformed: to change the appearance or character of something
simultaneously: happening or being done at the same time
altered: to change something slightly or in part

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The hospital underwent significant infrastructure developments between 2007 and 2010, most notably the separation of parking facilities and the introduction of a new bus station and roundabouts.

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.