Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Changes in road access and facilities at City Hospital between 2007 and 2010: IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 1 map question with a Band 8 sample answer, the chart redrawn with its data, the vocabulary that lifts the report and how to write about maps.
  • 196 words
  • Maps
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The two maps below show road access to a city hospital in 2007 and 2010.

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

City Hospital 2007

2007

  • City Hospital in the north
  • Ring Road encircling the hospital
  • Hospital Rd running south from the hospital to City Road
  • Bus stops along both sides of Hospital Rd
  • Combined staff and public car park on the east side of Hospital Rd

2010

  • City Hospital in the north
  • Ring Road encircling the hospital
  • Two roundabouts on Hospital Rd
  • Bus station on the west side of Hospital Rd
  • Staff car park on the east side of Hospital Rd
  • Public car park on the east side of the Ring Road

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.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8196 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The provided maps illustrate the modifications made to the road access and facilities surrounding City Hospital over a three-year period from 2007 to 2010.

Overall, the hospital area experienced substantial structural changes, including the addition of roundabouts, the construction of a dedicated bus station, and the segregation of public and staff parking areas.

In 2007, access to the hospital was provided via Hospital Road, which connected the Ring Road to City Road. At that time, bus stops were situated along both sides of Hospital Road, and a single car park served both staff and the public on the eastern side of the road. By 2010, the layout had been transformed. Two roundabouts were installed on Hospital Road, one near the hospital entrance and another at the junction with City Road. The bus stops were replaced by a larger bus station located on the west side of Hospital Road.

Furthermore, the parking arrangements were significantly altered. The original combined car park was replaced by a dedicated staff car park on the east side of Hospital Road. Simultaneously, a new, separate public car park was constructed to the east of the Ring Road, providing improved access for visitors.

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Maps

How to write about maps: tips and vocabulary

  • →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.
  • illustrate

    to show or explain something using a visual

  • modifications

    slight changes made to improve or adjust something

  • segregation

    the act of separating people or things apart

  • transformed

    to change the appearance or character of something

  • simultaneously

    happening or being done at the same time

  • altered

    to change something slightly or in part

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The hospital underwent significant infrastructure developments between 2007 and 2010, most notably the separation of parking facilities and the introduction of a new bus station and roundabouts.

How many words and how long for IELTS Writing Task 1?+

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 is IELTS Writing Task 1 scored?+

On four criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. A clear overview of the main features is what most separates Band 6 from Band 7 and above.

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.

Keep practising

More maps

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