Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Comparison of the layout of Beechwood Farm between 1950 and today

The plans below show the site of a farm in 1950 and the same site today.

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

Beechwood Farm in 1950

1950

Fruit trees in the northwest
Soft fruits south of fruit trees
Vegetables in the center
Sheep in the northeast
Barn in the east
Farmhouse in the southeast
Chickens south of the farmhouse
River bordering the west and south
Tracks connecting the areas

Today

Fruit trees in the northwest
Soft fruits south of fruit trees
Vegetables in the center
Farm shop and parking in the north
Camping field with a tree in the northeast
Solar panels in the east
Parking in the east
Holiday cottages in the southeast
Barn in the south
Farmhouse in the south
Chickens south of the farmhouse
River bordering the west and south
Roads replacing the tracks

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 changes at Beechwood Farm over a period spanning from 1950 to the present day. Overall, the site has evolved from a traditional agricultural farm into a multifunctional space that now incorporates tourism and renewable energy facilities.

In 1950, the farm was primarily dedicated to food production. The northern and central sections were occupied by fruit trees, soft fruits, and vegetables, while the northeastern area was used for sheep farming. The eastern side featured a barn, a farmhouse, and a chicken enclosure. A network of tracks provided access throughout the property, and the entire site was bordered by a river.

Today, while the fruit trees, soft fruits, and vegetable plots remain in their original locations, the rest of the farm has been extensively redeveloped. The sheep area has been replaced by a camping field, a parking area, and a set of solar panels. Furthermore, the original tracks have been upgraded to roads. New additions include a farm shop, a second parking area, and holiday cottages located near the farmhouse. Despite these changes, the barn, farmhouse, and chicken enclosure remain in the southern part of the site, maintaining a link to the farm's original layout.

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.

transformed: undergone a thorough or dramatic change in form
diversified: made more varied or expanded into different areas
incorporated: taken in or included as part of a whole
redeveloped: changed the form or use of an area
multifunctional: having several different functions or purposes
upgraded: improved the quality or standard of something

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The farm has undergone a significant transformation from a purely agricultural site in 1950 to a diversified commercial and tourist-oriented facility today.

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.