Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Comparison of college site layout between 2006 and present day

The two maps below show the site of a college in 2006 and the present day.

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

College site in 2006

2006

  • Road at the top
  • College building 2 on the left
  • Car park in the top right
  • Library in the middle right
  • Tree to the right of the library
  • Sports field in the bottom right
  • College building 1 in the bottom middle
  • Path connecting buildings and car park
  • Trees scattered in the top left and bottom left
College site in the present day

Present day

  • Road at the top
  • Bus stop added to the top middle
  • College building 2 on the left
  • Car park in the top right
  • Bike storage added next to the car park
  • Sports centre added below the car park
  • Tree to the right of the sports centre
  • Sports field in the bottom right
  • Cafeteria added in the centre with paths
  • Library moved to the bottom left
  • College building 1 moved to the bottom middle
  • Trees scattered in the top left

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 transformation of a college campus from 2006 to the present day. Overall, the site has experienced substantial development, characterised by the addition of new buildings and a more complex network of pathways.

In 2006, the layout was relatively simple, featuring two college buildings, a library, a sports field, and a car park, all connected by a single path. The area was sparsely populated with trees, particularly in the top and bottom left sections. By the present day, the campus has been significantly redeveloped. A central cafeteria has been constructed, serving as a hub with multiple paths radiating outwards. Furthermore, a bus stop has been installed along the top road, and a new bike storage facility has been added adjacent to the car park.

Regarding the existing structures, the library and college building 1 have been relocated to the bottom of the site. Additionally, a sports centre has been built between the car park and the sports field. While the trees in the top left remain, the overall density of the campus has increased, reflecting a shift towards a more integrated and facility-rich environment.

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

How to write about maps

transformation
a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance
reconfiguration
the process of arranging something in a new way
radiating
spreading out from a central point or area
adjacent
next to or adjoining something else
redeveloped
developed again or differently to improve the area
integrated
combined to form a whole or unified system

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The college site has undergone significant structural expansion and reconfiguration, most notably through the addition of a central cafeteria, new facilities, and improved transport infrastructure.

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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