Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Comparison of University Campus Layout Between 2010 and the Present Day

The maps show improvements that have been made to a university campus between 2010 and the present day.

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

University Campus 2010

2010

  • Student accommodation (two buildings)
  • University offices
  • Teaching block (Arts & Science)
  • Lake
  • Lawn & seating area
  • Shops
  • Restaurant

Now

  • Expanded student accommodation (two buildings)
  • Science building
  • Arts building
  • Lake (reduced size)
  • Student facilities (shops, offices, etc.)

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 physical transformations of a university campus between 2010 and the present day. Overall, the campus has undergone significant structural development, transitioning from a dispersed layout with shared teaching facilities to a more specialized academic environment with expanded student accommodation and centralized amenities.

In 2010, the campus featured a single teaching block for both arts and science, alongside university offices and a restaurant. The central area was dominated by a large lake surrounded by a lawn and seating area, with shops located nearby. Two separate student accommodation buildings were situated on the periphery.

By the present day, the landscape has been extensively reconfigured. The original teaching block has been replaced by two distinct buildings dedicated to science and arts. Furthermore, the student accommodation has been expanded, with the buildings now appearing larger and more integrated. The original restaurant, shops, and university offices have been consolidated into a new, multi-purpose facility for student services located near the lake, which has been reduced in size to accommodate this development. These changes reflect a shift towards a more concentrated and specialized campus infrastructure.

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

How to write about maps

reconfigured
arranged in a new or different way
consolidated
combined several things into a single unit
periphery
the outer edge or boundary of an area
integrated
combined to form a more effective whole
transitioning
changing from one state to another
dispersed
spread over a wide area

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The university campus has undergone significant structural development, transitioning from a dispersed layout with shared teaching facilities to a more specialized academic environment with expanded student accommodation and centralized amenities.

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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