Example
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The maps below show changes to the ground floor plan of a university department in 2000 and 2015
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Model Answer
The maps illustrate how the ground floor of a university department changed between 2000 and 2015.
Overall, the department underwent considerable redevelopment, with several seminar rooms being added, the library relocated, and a car park introduced. The surrounding area also became less green, although the main entrance remained in the same position.
In 2000, the department contained two seminar rooms, S1 and S2, on the western side of the main corridor. On the eastern side were S3, a library and an office. The building was surrounded by several trees, particularly to the east, and there was no car park.
By 2015, the western section had been expanded vertically to accommodate four seminar rooms, S1 to S4, while S5 had been added to the eastern side. The former library and office area was partly reorganised, with only the office remaining inside the main building. The library was moved to a separate building, which was also labelled as an IT Centre. In addition, a car park was constructed immediately south-east of the department. Most notably, the trees were removed.
Break down
Task Achievement
What you did well:
- You directly introduce the maps: “The maps illustrate how the ground floor of a university department changed between 2000 and 2015.”
- Your overview is strong and identifies the major developments rather than simply repeating details.
- You mention the key features:
- seminar rooms increased
- library relocated
- car park introduced
- green space/trees reduced
- main entrance remained unchanged
- You make comparisons between 2000 and 2015, which is essential for this type of question.
- You avoid unnecessary speculation.
Why I wouldn’t automatically give Band 9:
- The phrase “expanded vertically” may be problematic depending on what the actual map shows. If you mean the western section was extended/expanded, “expanded vertically” could suggest that the building became taller rather than longer or larger on the plan.
- “Most notably, the trees were removed” is slightly subjective. In Task 1, it’s generally better to remain neutral and factual.
- If the original maps contain more specific changes that aren’t mentioned, this could reduce Task Achievement. Based only on your written response, however, coverage is very good.
Coherence & Cohesion
This is one of the strongest aspects of your answer.
Strengths:
- Excellent 4-paragraph structure:
- Introduction
- Overview
- 2000
- 2015
- Information is presented in a logical chronological arrangement.
- Your progression from 2000 → 2015 makes the answer easy to follow.
- Linking expressions are used naturally:
- “Overall”
- “In 2000”
- “By 2015”
- “while”
- “In addition”
- “Most notably”
- You don’t overuse mechanical connectors such as Firstly, secondly, moreover, furthermore.
Particularly good sentence:
“By 2015, the western section had been expanded vertically to accommodate four seminar rooms, S1 to S4, while S5 had been added to the eastern side.”
This efficiently combines multiple pieces of information.
Minor issue:
- The sentence “The former library and office area was partly reorganised, with only the office remaining inside the main building” is grammatically fine but somewhat dense. A slightly simpler structure could make the information even clearer.
Lexical Resource
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps.
Strong vocabulary
You use:
- “underwent considerable redevelopment”
- “seminar rooms being added”
- “library relocated”
- “car park introduced”
- “surrounded by”
- “on the western side”
- “eastern side”
- “reorganised”
- “separate building”
- “constructed”
- “accommodate”
These are appropriate for IELTS map descriptions and show good flexibility.
A few things to improve
1. “Expanded vertically”
This is the biggest lexical concern.
“the western section had been expanded vertically”
Unless the map specifically shows an expansion upward, “vertically” is potentially inaccurate.
Better possibilities, depending on the map:
- “the western section had been extended”
- “the western part of the building had been expanded”
- “the western section had been enlarged”
2. “Most notably”
“Most notably, the trees were removed.”
This is understandable, but it introduces your personal judgement about what is “most notable.”
More objective:
“The trees were also removed.”
Or:
“In addition, most of the trees were removed.”
3. “Former library and office area”
This is understandable but could be slightly more precise:
“The former library and office area was reorganised…”
Good overall, but precision is particularly important in map questions.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Your grammar is very strong.
Excellent features
You use a variety of structures:
Past simple:
“The building was surrounded by several trees…”
Past perfect:
“the western section had been expanded…”
Passive structures:
“a car park was constructed…”
Relative/participial structures:
“which was also labelled as an IT Centre”
Contrast:
“while S5 had been added…”
This shows the grammatical flexibility expected at Band 8.
Accuracy
I don’t see any significant grammatical errors that would consistently affect your score.
Your sentences are generally:
- accurate
- appropriately complex
- well controlled
- varied in structure
One sentence is somewhat overloaded:
“The former library and office area was partly reorganised, with only the office remaining inside the main building.”
It is grammatically acceptable, but clarity could be improved by separating the ideas.
What makes this answer strong
Your biggest strengths are:
- ✅ Clear overview
- ✅ Good selection of significant features
- ✅ Logical organisation
- ✅ Excellent paragraphing
- ✅ Strong map vocabulary
- ✅ Good grammatical variety
- ✅ No unnecessary conclusion
- ✅ No irrelevant information
- ✅ Appropriate length
- ✅ Natural cohesion
Leave a Reply