Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Changes to the layout and facilities of Riverage College over thirty years

The maps below show information about the change of Riverage college 30 years ago and now.

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

Riverage College 30 years ago and now

30 years ago

  • Sport Hall on the left
  • Flower bed next to the Sport Hall
  • Terrace area
  • Refectory, Library, and Common Room in the central building
  • Four offices and a Reception in the right building
  • Car Park on the far right

Now

  • Sport Hall on the left
  • Steps replacing the flower bed
  • Terrace area
  • Office, Library, and Cafe in the central building
  • Art-Class Room, Reception, and Music Room in the right building
  • Tree replacing the car park

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 structural modifications made to Riverage College over a thirty-year period. Overall, the college has shifted from a facility focused on administrative offices and parking to one that prioritises student amenities and creative learning spaces.

Thirty years ago, the college featured a Sport Hall on the left, adjacent to a flower bed and a terrace. The central building housed a refectory, a library, and a common room, while the building on the right contained four offices and a reception area. A large car park occupied the far right of the site.

In contrast, the current layout shows several notable changes. The flower bed has been replaced by steps, and the central building now contains an office, a library, and a cafe, replacing the former refectory and common room. The right-hand building has been repurposed to include an Art-Class Room, a reception, and a Music Room. Furthermore, the car park has been removed entirely, with a tree now occupying that space. These developments reflect a clear transition towards a more student-centred environment, replacing vehicle infrastructure with communal and creative facilities.

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

How to write about maps

undergone
experienced or been subjected to a significant change
modifications
the action of making changes to something
repurposed
adapted for a different use or purpose
prioritises
treats something as being more important than others
transition
the process of changing from one state to another
adjacent
next to or adjoining something else

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Over the past three decades, Riverage College has undergone significant structural transformations, most notably the replacement of the car park with a green area and the conversion of academic and administrative spaces.

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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