Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Comparison of the current office layout and proposed future development plans

The diagrams below show how an office building looks at present and the plan for its future development.

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

Office building layout: Present vs. Planned Development

Present

Grass area on the left
Kitchen, Canteen, and Stock Room along the top wall
Four offices along the bottom wall
Wash Room near the top right
Reception and Entrance on the bottom right
Grass area on the right

Planned Development

Outdoor Activity Area on the left
Two offices, a Stock Room, and a Coffee Machine along the top wall
One office, Reception, and Entrance along the bottom wall
One office and a Meeting Area 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 diagrams illustrate the current layout of an office building and the proposed modifications for its future development. Overall, the transformation indicates a shift towards a more collaborative and recreational workspace, moving away from the current compartmentalised office and canteen structure.

At present, the building is characterised by a symmetrical arrangement featuring grass areas on both the far left and right sides. The top section houses a kitchen, a canteen, and a stock room, while the bottom section contains four separate offices. A reception area and entrance are located on the bottom right, adjacent to a washroom.

Under the planned development, the layout will undergo substantial changes. The grass area on the left will be converted into an outdoor activity area. The top row of rooms will be reduced to two offices and a stock room, with a new coffee machine area added to the right. On the bottom level, the four offices will be replaced by two offices, a centrally located reception and entrance, and a dedicated meeting area on the bottom right. These changes suggest a focus on increasing communal space and improving staff amenities.

188 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.

reconfiguration: the process of changing the arrangement of something
compartmentalised: divided into separate, enclosed sections or rooms
symmetrical: made up of exactly similar parts facing each other
substantial: of considerable importance, size, or worth
amenities: useful or desirable features of a building
collaborative: involving two or more people working together

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The proposed development involves a significant reconfiguration of the office space, replacing the current canteen and kitchen facilities with a more open-plan layout that includes a meeting area and an outdoor activity 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.