Model answer for IELTS writing task 1 maps/diagrams.
Updated: Feb 2023
Maps or diagrams often show up in the IELTS exam (writing task 1 academic). There are 3 types of maps: past and past , past and present and present and future. Make sure you check the timeframe and set aside 3 minutes to analyse the task and plan your writing. A well planned task will help you feel confident when writing.
Here is a model answer for a park layout comparing past and present. This task was taken from the latest IELTS 14 book from Cambridge University press.
In terms of the structure you will see that the introduction is very short so it has been added to the overview which covers the main changes.
Source: Cambridge IELTS 14
Model Answer
The plans illustrate how grange park has changed since it opened in 1920. Overall the main changes show that an amphitheatre has replaced the musician’s stage, the rose garden is now a central feature, and the pond was replaced by a children’s play area.
Looking at the layout for 1920, when entering through either the Eldon Street or Arnold Avenue entrances visitors would have encountered a fountain in the centre of the park. Entering via the Eldon Street entrance, to the left hand side of the park there was a musician’s stage with rose gardens and seating areas on the periphery. Beside the rose garden was a pond for water plants, as well as a glasshouse near the Eldon Street entrance.
Turning to the present day diagram, the fountain that once dominated the centre of the park has been replaced by a rose garden surrounded by a seating area. The musician’s stage was converted into an amphitheatre and the pond is now a children’s play area with a cafe next to it. Additionally, an underground car park has been constructed under the current water feature where the glasshouse once stood.
189 words
Tips
- Keep the task to under 200 words as you will not have time to write a very long report and it is not necessary. Focus on being concise and cover the main features. Aim for between 160 to 190 words.
- Make sure you have an overview or you could lose marks. Start your overview with the word ‘Overall’
- In a map task you can structure it with main body one covering the first map, and main body two covering the second map.
- Never write a conclusion and do not give your opinion, write only about what you see in the maps.
- Time management: practice getting task 1 done in 20 minutes as you will then need to move on to the task 2 essay where you will have only 40 minutes.
- Note that there is no compass showing north or south so i did not use compass points in the answer.