Level: IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
Task type: Map comparison
Recommended time: 20 minutes
Word count: At least 150 words
Task
The maps below show changes 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.
How to approach this task
Start with a short introduction that paraphrases the question.
Then write an overview. This should describe the biggest changes, not every small detail. For this map, focus on the redevelopment of the campus, the movement of the library, the new lake, the expanded car park and the replacement of several facilities.
After that, describe the 2010 map. Mention the main locations clearly: the library in the centre, the student hostel in the north-west, the sports centre in the north-east, the cafeteria in the west, the lecture hall in the east, the garden in the south-west, the car park in the south-east and the administration building near the main entrance.
Then describe the present-day map. Explain what has changed: the library has moved north, the lake has been added in the centre, two lecture halls have replaced the old hostel, two student hostels have replaced the sports centre, the cafeteria has become a restaurant, the garden has become a football field and the car park has expanded northwards.
Do not give opinions. Do not explain why the changes happened. Only describe and compare the maps.
Useful language
Describing change
was replaced by
was converted into
was relocated to
was removed
was expanded
was developed into
remained unchanged
Location phrases
in the north-west corner
on the eastern side
in the centre of the campus
to the south of the library
near the main entrance
opposite the sports centre
Practice task
Write your own answer in at least 150 words. Try to include:
a clear introduction
a clear overview
specific details from both maps
accurate location language
no personal opinion
Example answers
Model answer: Band 6.5
The maps show how a university campus changed between 2010 and the present day.
Overall, the campus has been developed with more student accommodation and leisure facilities. The central library has been moved to the north of the campus, while a lake has been added in its former position. Some facilities have also been replaced by new buildings.
In 2010, the library was located in the centre of the campus, surrounded by paths. To the north-west, there was a student hostel, while the sports centre was in the north-east. The cafeteria was on the western side of the campus, and a lecture hall stood on the eastern side. In the south-west, there was a garden, and the car park was in the south-east. The administration building was near the main entrance in the south.
Today, the student hostel in the north-west has been replaced by two lecture halls. The sports centre has also disappeared, and two student hostels have been built in its place. The library has moved to the northern part of the campus, and a lake now occupies the centre. The cafeteria has become a restaurant, the garden has been changed into a football field, and the car park has been expanded.
Model answer: Band 8.0
The maps compare the layout of a university campus in 2010 with its layout today.
Overall, the campus has undergone considerable redevelopment. The most significant changes are the relocation of the library, the creation of a central lake, the expansion of the car park and the replacement of several original facilities with new academic, residential and recreational areas.
In 2010, the library occupied the central part of the campus, with paths leading to the surrounding buildings. A student hostel was situated in the north-west corner, opposite a sports centre in the north-east. The western side contained a cafeteria, while a lecture hall was located on the eastern side. In the south-west, there was a garden, and the car park was positioned in the south-east. The administration building and the main entrance were both located in the southern part of the campus.
At present, the centre of the campus has been transformed into a lake, while the library has been relocated to the northern section. The former student hostel has been replaced by two lecture halls, and the sports centre has been removed to make way for two student hostels. The cafeteria has been converted into a restaurant, and the garden has been replaced by a football field. In addition, the car park has been enlarged substantially, extending northwards into the area previously occupied by the lecture hall. The administration building and main entrance remain unchanged.
