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User-written IELTS example

Writing Academic Task 1 Band 9.0 Example

Original task prompt, user essay, band score, and related examples in the same report workspace.

251 words AcademicTask 1Map
Task 1

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Separate features that remain from those that have been added, relocated or replaced; the business units and car park remain, while the IT centre gives way to an innovation centre.
  • Describe the shift in land use: open grassland in the northwest is now substantially developed, while trees remain in the southwest.
  • Treat transport access as a key change, noting the cycle path, station and bus stop, while also mentioning the railway that continues to border the site.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the maps and identify the time comparison.
  2. Give an overview of the most important changes: redevelopment and improved access.
  3. Describe the 2008 arrangement by area, covering open land and existing facilities.
  4. Compare the current layout, highlighting retained and replaced buildings.
  5. Finish with access changes and any transport feature that remains.
Useful vocabulary & examples
give way to
to be replaced by something new

The IT centre has given way to an innovation centre.

remain in broadly similar positions
to stay in approximately the same locations

The business units remain in broadly similar positions.

be concentrated in
to be located mainly within a particular area

Woodland was concentrated in the southwest.

border the site
to run along the edge of an area

The railway continues to border the site to the east.

Task Prompt

The maps below show a science park in 2008 and the same park today. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
IELTS Writing Task 1 visual

User Essay Analysis

Review the public answer with report-style highlights.

Band 9.0

The map details alterations to the science park since 2008. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that this park has become more accessible, with cycle paths and bus stops; more commercial, with a station; and more educational, with a university hub. These changes have been made at the expense of grasslands and some of the earlier open space. The station improves transport access; it does not by itself demonstrate a commercial use.

Overall, open land has been developed and transport access has increased. Several original buildings remain, but the IT centre has been replaced and the reception has become a university hub.

In 2008, grassland occupied much of the northwest and the area east of the car park. Offices and reception stood in the northeast, while business units were situated to the west of the central parking area. Woodland surrounded the IT centre in the southwest, and a cyber-security building occupied the southeast.

Today, a research and development building occupies part of the former northwestern grassland. The offices and business units remain, while the former reception is labelled as a university hub. The innovation centre has replaced the IT centre, and the cyber-security building is larger. The car park has also been reduced in size.

Transport facilities now include cycle paths along the internal roads, a bus stop on the eastern side and a station beside the southern railway. Paths connect these facilities with the rest of the park. Woodland remains in the southwest despite the development elsewhere.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
The university hub replaces reception; research and development occupies former grassland. The car park is smaller and cyber security larger. The one bus stop and station show improved access, not proof of commercial activity.
2
Use an overview and group details by the actual comparison rather than describe every label in turn.
3
Check the quoted revisions and retain precise figures, dates, locations and tone.

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