The two maps below show a school in 1985 and the same school now.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 1 question on IELTSX. The two maps below show a school in 1985 and the same school now.

Two maps show school in 1985 and same school now - 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.

IELTS Writing Task 1 chart for Two maps show school in 1985 and same school now
Chart supplied with the IELTS Writing Task 1 question: Two maps show school in 1985 and same school now

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 8 ยท 243 words.

The two maps illustrate how a school has changed from 1985 to the present day.

Overall, the school has become larger and more modern. Several new facilities have been added, while some outdoor areas have been reduced to make space for new buildings and sports facilities.

In 1985, the main building was located in the centre of the school, with a parking area to the northwest and a playground to the northeast. Classrooms were situated on the western side, while the library was on the eastern side. A large sports field occupied most of the southern part of the campus.

At present, the main building has been expanded and now covers a much larger area. The parking area remains in the northwest corner, although it appears more developed. The playground is still located in the northeast, but it has been upgraded with additional equipment. A major change is the construction of a new science block on the eastern side of the school, next to the library.

Another significant development is the addition of tennis courts in the southeast corner, replacing part of the former open space. The sports field has become slightly smaller than it was in 1985. Furthermore, more trees, paths and seating areas have been added around the central fountain, creating a more attractive environment for students.

In conclusion, the school has undergone considerable redevelopment, with new educational and sports facilities being introduced while maintaining the original classrooms, library and playground.

Examiner feedback

This is a very strong response that accurately describes the changes shown in the maps. It features a clear overview and uses a sophisticated range of vocabulary and grammar suited for an academic context. The only minor improvement would be more advanced synthesis of information rather than a chronological list.

Task Achievement - 8

- The response covers all requirements of the task including a clear overview of the main changes. - Key features like the new science block and tennis courts are clearly highlighted and supported by their locations. - The description is relevant and accurate, though it includes a concluding paragraph which is often redundant if a clear overview is provided.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Information is logically organized with a clear chronological progression from 1985 to the present. - Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the two time periods and the overview. - Cohesive devices such as "Furthermore" and "Another significant development" are used naturally to link ideas.

Lexical Resource - 8

- A wide range of vocabulary related to mapping and development is used correctly (e.g., "situated," "occupied," "undergone considerable redevelopment"). - Collocations are natural and appropriate for an academic report. - There is flexibility in describing spatial changes using compass directions and relative positions.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 8

- A wide range of structures is used, including passive voice and present perfect for describing changes. - The majority of sentences are error-free with sophisticated control of punctuation. - Complex sentence forms are used accurately to combine multiple observations.

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