User-written IELTS example
Writing Academic Task 1 Band 7.0 Example
Original task prompt, user essay, band score, and related examples in the same report workspace.
Illustrative target band for this original model answer.
Plan your answer
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Ideas to explore
- Summarise the overall pattern: the village grew substantially between 1868 and 1994.
- Compare the stages of expansion: early development was limited, followed by growth around the centre and later in several outlying areas.
- Mention transport changes accurately: the railway was built in 1909 and the motorway in 1970; the park and golf course remained a prominent mapped feature.
Suggested structure
- Introduce the map, location and time span.
- Give an overview of the main expansion and transport-related changes.
- Describe the earliest period and development up to 1922.
- Compare the 1922–1970 and 1970–1994 periods, including the directions of later growth.
- Finish with a brief summary of the village’s expansion and continuing park and golf course.
Useful vocabulary & examples
- built-up area
- Land covered by buildings and developed settlement.
The built-up area was limited in the earliest period.
- spread around the centre
- Expanded outward in places close to the central area.
Development spread around the centre between 1883 and 1922.
- in several separate areas
- In a number of distinct locations rather than one continuous zone.
From 1970 to 1994, development appeared in several separate areas.
- transport links
- Routes or services that connect places, such as railways and motorways.
The map shows the railway and motorway as important transport links.
Task Prompt

User Essay Analysis
Review the public answer with report-style highlights.
The given map demonstrates the growth of a village called Chorleywood between 1868 and 1994. Overall, it is clear that the village grew as the transport infrastructure was improved. Four periods of development are shown on the map, and each of the populated areas is near to the main roads, the railway or the motorway. The earliest settlement, dated 1868–1883, was limited to a small area close to the main road. Development expanded during 1883–1922, with further housing appearing around the village centre and the railway corridor. The railway was built in 1909, and Chorleywood station is located close to this central cluster.
In 1922–1970, the built-up area spread more substantially, particularly to the west and south of the centre, alongside the main roads and railway. A major change in transport came in 1970, when the motorway was built to the east of the village. In the final period, from 1970 to 1994, development continued in several distinct areas, notably north and south of the motorway and to the east of the earlier settlement.
Overall, Chorleywood expanded from a relatively compact settlement into a more extensive village. Its growth was closely associated with access to transport routes, although the later additions were more dispersed than the earlier central development.
Targeted Improvement Tips
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