Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Comparison of Grange Park layout between 1920 and the present day

The plans below show a public park when it first opened in 1920 and the same park today.

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

Grange Park (1920)

1920

Arnold Avenue entrance at the top
Eldon Street entrance at the bottom
Two rose gardens in the top corners
Pond for water plants in the top right
Stage for musicians in the middle left
Fountain in the centre
Glasshouse in the bottom right
Seats along the left and right edges and near the bottom entrance

Today

Arnold Avenue entrance at the top
Eldon Street entrance at the bottom
Amphitheatre for concerts on the left
Rose garden in the centre surrounded by seats
Café in the top right
Children's play area in the top right
Water feature in the bottom right
Underground car park entrance on 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 maps illustrate the transformation of Grange Park from its opening in 1920 to the present day. Overall, the park has undergone significant structural changes, replacing most of its original ornamental features with modern recreational facilities and improved infrastructure.

In 1920, the park was primarily designed for leisure and aesthetics. It featured two rose gardens in the northern corners, a pond for water plants in the north-east, and a central fountain. A stage for musicians was situated on the western side, while a glasshouse occupied the south-eastern area. Seating was distributed along the perimeter and near the southern entrance. Both Arnold Avenue and Eldon Street provided direct access to the park.

Today, the layout is markedly different. The original stage has been replaced by a large amphitheatre for concerts. The central fountain has been removed to make way for a new, centrally located rose garden surrounded by seating. The northern pond and the glasshouse have been replaced by a café and a children’s play area, respectively. Furthermore, a new water feature has been installed in the south-east, and an entrance to an underground car park has been added to the south-eastern corner, reflecting a shift towards modern utility.

199 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.

transformation: a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance
ornamental: serving or intended as an ornament or decoration
distributed: spread over a wide area or among many people
markedly: in a way that is easy to notice
replaced: took the place of something that was there before
utility: the state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The park has undergone significant structural changes, replacing most of its original ornamental features with modern recreational facilities and improved 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.