The plans below show a small theater in 2010 and the same theater in 2012.

Plans showing a small theater in 2010 and the same theater in 2012 - IELTS Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 9 · 252 words.

Here is a Band 9 model answer based on the provided task and images.

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The two floor plans illustrate the redevelopment of a small theatre between 2010 and 2012.

Overall, the theatre underwent significant modernisation, with the most notable changes being the expansion of public and backstage facilities. While the core performance area remained unchanged, the surrounding spaces were reorganised to improve both visitor comfort and staff functionality.

In 2010, the building featured a basic layout. A large stage dominated the centre, flanked by a storage room on the upper right and a dressing room on the upper left. The front of the house contained a ticket office adjacent to the main entrance, with a modest cafe situated in the bottom left corner. The administrative office was positioned between the cafe and the stage.

By 2012, the theatre had become more sophisticated. The storage area was extended and now connects to a newly added corridor, providing better access to the backstage zones. The dressing room was upgraded to include a shower facility, reflecting improved amenities for performers. In the public area, the cafe was replaced by a more spacious restaurant, suggesting a shift towards full-service dining. The ticket office and main door remained in their original positions, but the admin office was relocated to the area previously occupied by the cafe, creating a more logical separation between public and private functions. The seating capacity across the two periods remained identical, as indicated by the unchanged seat numbers from 100 to 1000.

Examiner feedback

This response is an exemplary model of an IELTS Task 1 answer. It identifies all significant changes between the two plans, provides a clear and effective overview, and uses a sophisticated range of vocabulary and grammatical structures with complete accuracy.

Task Achievement - 9

- The response fully satisfies all requirements of the task by identifying all key features and changes. - The overview is clear and comprehensive, summarizing the main trends of expansion and modernization. - Data comparisons (like the unchanged seating) are skillfully highlighted and illustrated.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- Paragraphing is skillfully managed, separating the initial overview from the detailed temporal comparisons. - Cohesion is used seamlessly, with transitions like 'In 2010' and 'By 2012' guiding the reader effortlessly. - Referencing is precise, using phrases like 'previously occupied' and 'the former' to link changes back to original locations.

Lexical Resource - 9

- Full flexibility and precise use of vocabulary are evident, with terms like 'modernisation', 'flanked', and 'sophisticated'. - Collocations are used naturally, such as 'logical separation' and 'full-service dining'. - Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- A wide range of complex structures is used with full flexibility, including relative clauses and passive constructions. - Punctuation is flawless throughout the response. - The majority of sentences are error-free, maintaining a high level of control and sophistication.

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