Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Changes to the Queen Mary Hospital site between 1960 and 2000

The diagrams below show the changes that have taken place at Queen Mary Hospital since its construction in 1960.

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

Queen Mary Hospital site development 1960-2000

1960

Shopping Centre in top-left
Hospital in top-right
Farmland in bottom-left
Car Park in bottom-right

1980

Cancer Centre in top-left
Pharmacy in top-middle
Hospital in top-right
Nursing School in bottom-left
Car Park in bottom-right

2000

Cancer Centre in bottom-left and extending up
Pharmacy in top-middle
Hospital in top-right
Nursing School in bottom-middle
Car Park in 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 structural modifications made to the Queen Mary Hospital site over a forty-year period, starting from its initial construction in 1960.

In 1960, the site was divided into four distinct sections: a shopping centre in the top-left, a hospital in the top-right, farmland in the bottom-left, and a car park in the bottom-right. By 1980, the site had been redeveloped. The shopping centre was replaced by a cancer centre, and the farmland was converted into a nursing school. Additionally, a pharmacy was introduced between the cancer centre and the hospital, while the car park remained in its original position.

Further changes occurred by 2000. The cancer centre underwent a substantial expansion, occupying the space previously held by the nursing school, which was relocated to the bottom-middle of the site. Consequently, the car park was reduced in size to accommodate this shift. The pharmacy and the hospital remained in their 1980 positions, although the overall footprint of the medical facilities had grown significantly. Overall, the site evolved from a diverse commercial and agricultural area into a comprehensive medical complex.

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.

redeveloped: changed or improved the use of an area
converted: changed the form or function of something
accommodate: to provide enough space for something
substantial: of considerable importance, size, or worth
relocated: moved to a new place or position
comprehensive: including all or nearly all elements of something

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The site underwent a significant transformation from a mixed-use area with farmland into a specialised medical facility, with the hospital and its associated services expanding to occupy the entire space.

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.