This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of a map of a science park from the real IELTS exam.
Find all the most recent task 1 topics here and my full IELTS Ebooks here.
Dave
IELTS Essay Task 1: Science Park Map
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.

The maps detail alterations to a science park dating back to 2008. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the park has expanded to include more areas for research, education and improved accessibility.
Considering initially the northern end of the park, in 2008 there was considerable untouched natural land that has now been replaced with a research and development center (the reception area was also removed in favor of a university hub, while the adjacent offices remain the same). South of these new facilities, the car park has reduced in size, the business units are unchanged, and, most significantly, the cyber security building has been enlarged, overtaking previously undeveloped land.
In the southern section of the park, the circular IT centre has been transformed into an innovation centre and there is a new train station on the southernmost tracks with walkways branching off to various facilities. Finally, there are additional biking routes along an eastern road and running through the centre of the park past the car park and new buildings as well as a bus stop on the eastern side of campus.
Analysis
1. The maps detail alterations to a science park dating back to 2008. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the park has expanded to include more areas for research, education and improved accessibility.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a general over for the map. Include the major changes and group them generally.
1. Considering initially the northern end of the park, in 2008 there was considerable untouched natural land that has now been replaced with a research and development center (the reception area was also removed in favor of a university hub, while the adjacent offices remain the same). 2. South of these new facilities, the car park has reduced in size, the business units are unchanged, and, most significantly, the cyber security building has been enlarged, overtaking previously undeveloped land.
- Begin to describe the changes.
- Be sure to compare as much as possible.
1. In the southern section of the park, the circular IT centre has been transformed into an innovation centre and there is a new train station on the southernmost tracks with walkways branching off to various facilities. 2. Finally, there are additional biking routes along an eastern road and running through the centre of the park past the car park and new buildings as well as a bus stop on the eastern side of campus .
- Switch to another part of the map.
- Don’t include any opinion and don’t forget any areas.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Take some notes on a piece of paper to aid your memory:
The maps detail alterations to a science park dating back to 2008. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the park has expanded to include more areas for research, education and improved accessibility.
Considering initially the northern end of the park, in 2008 there was considerable untouched natural land that has now been replaced with a research and development center (the reception area was also removed in favor of a university hub, while the adjacent offices remain the same). South of these new facilities, the car park has reduced in size, the business units are unchanged, and, most significantly, the cyber security building has been enlarged, overtaking previously undeveloped land.
In the southern section of the park, the circular IT centre has been transformed into an innovation centre and there is a new train station on the southernmost tracks with walkways branching off to various facilities. Finally, there are additional biking routes along an eastern road and running through the centre of the park past the car park and new buildings as well as a bus stop on the eastern side of campus .
Answers
Try to write down or think of an antonym/opposite word for further practice:
detail show
alterations changes
science park place to learn about science and technology
dating back to returning to
looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
expanded increased in size
include has inside it
areas places
research learning about
education places for learning
improved accessibility easy to get there
considering initially looking first of all at
northern end top part
considerable untouched natural land lots of area not developed yet
replaced with removed for
research and development center place to learn and study
reception area area to welcome people
removed taken away
hub central area
adjacent next to
remain the same unchanged
south of lower part
reduced in size gets smaller
business units places to do business
unchanged the same
most significantly most importantly
cyber security building place for online safety
enlarged made bigger
overtaking previously undeveloped land usurping untouched natural areas
in the southern section of in the lower part of
circular as a circle
transformed into made into
innovation making new things
southernmost tracks lower train tracks
walkways places to walk
branching off going off in different directions
various facilities different buildings
finally lastly
additional biking routes along extra places to ride a bike
running through going through
past the car park through where cars sit
Pronunciation
Practice saying the words below using this tip with Google voice dictation:
ˈdiːteɪl
ˌɔːltəˈreɪʃ(ə)nz
ˈsaɪəns pɑːk
ˈdeɪtɪŋ bæk tuː
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt
ɪksˈpændɪd
ɪnˈkluːd
ˈeərɪəz
rɪˈsɜːʧ
ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃən
ɪmˈpruːvd əkˌsɛsɪˈbɪlɪti
kənˈsɪdərɪŋ ɪˈnɪʃəli
ˈnɔːðən ɛnd
kənˈsɪdərəbl ʌnˈtʌʧt ˈnæʧrəl lænd
rɪˈpleɪst wɪð
rɪˈsɜːʧ ænd dɪˈvɛləpmənt ˈsɛntə
rɪˈsɛpʃən ˈeərɪə
rɪˈmuːvd
hʌb
əˈʤeɪsənt
rɪˈmeɪn ðə seɪm
saʊθ ɒv
rɪˈdjuːst ɪn saɪz
ˈbɪznɪs ˈjuːnɪts
ʌnˈʧeɪnʤd
məʊst sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli
ˈsaɪbə sɪˈkjʊərɪti ˈbɪldɪŋ
ɪnˈlɑːʤd
ˌəʊvəˈteɪkɪŋ ˈpriːviəsli ˌʌndɪˈvɛləpt lænd
ɪn ðə ˈsʌðən ˈsɛkʃən ɒv
ˈsɜːkjʊlə
trænsˈfɔːmd ˈɪntuː
ˌɪnəʊˈveɪʃən
ˈsʌðənməʊst træks
ˈwɔːkweɪz
ˈbrɑːnʧɪŋ ɒf
ˈveərɪəs fəˈsɪlɪtiz
ˈfaɪnəli
əˈdɪʃənl ˈbaɪkɪŋ ruːts əˈlɒŋ
ˈrʌnɪŋ θruː
pɑːst ðə kɑː pɑːk
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks. Note it on a piece of paper so you can remember better:
The maps d__________l a_______________s to a s_______________k d_________________o 2008. L___________________________________________________t the park has e_____________d to i_________e more a_______s for r___________h, e___________n and i___________________y.
C____________________y the n________________d of the park, in 2008 there was c_________________________________d that has now been r_______________h a r_______________________________r (the r_______________a was also r___________d in favor of a university h___b, while the a__________t offices r___________________e). S__________f these new facilities, the car park has r______________e, the b_________________s are u____________d, and, m__________________y, the c______________________g has been e__________d, o__________________________________________d.
I__________________________f the park, the c__________r IT centre has been t_________________o an i_____________n centre and there is a new train station on the s_______________________s with w___________s b_________________f to v___________________s. F__________y, there are a________________________g an eastern road and r________________h the centre of the park p_________________k and new buildings as well as a bus stop on the eastern side of campus .
Listening Practice
Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities
Reading Practice
Read more and use these ideas to practice:
Best Science Museums and Parks
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following related questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Science
- Do you like science?
- Did you learn about science in primary school?
- How often do you read about science?
- Why is science important to learn about?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related map below and then check with my sample answer:

The picture compares Pebbleton from 20 years ago with that of the present time.
It is clear that more facilities have been constructed in the last 20 years. Moreover, the functions of some buildings have been changed.
Considering the north part of Pebbleton, several houses have been built along the north coast. The old fort near the lighthouse has been transformed into a children’s playground, and a community centre has appeared between the playground and houses. A new tennis court has been constructed next to Lighthouse Lane.
As for the south side of Pebbleton, the film studio is rebuilt and becomes flats. A new bridge, called the footbridge, has been built, which is extended to the tennis courts by a footpath. Other parts of Pebbleton include a school, a lighthouse, and natural land kept the same as 20 years ago.
Good, but try to define/describe the changes in the overview.
Just saying changes is not enough – check my overview above.
Otherwise you will get a band 5 for task achievement automatically!
The given maps show detailed changes to a science park back . Overall , it apparent that the park has enlarged to include more areas for research development , education and improved accessibility.
Considering the northern end of the park, in 2008 there was an unaltered natural land that has now been replaced with a research and development center ,the reception area was abolished , while the adjacent offices remain intact .
South of these new facilities, the car park is reduced in size, while the business units are untouched , and, most significantly, the cyber security building has been expanded , by overtaking the previous land.
In the southern part of the park, the circular IT centre is replaced by innovation centre and on the southernmost tracks a new train station has been added with walkways splitting off to various facilities.
Eventually , new biking routes are built along an eastern road and passing through the centre of the park alongside the car park and new buildings.
In summary , the maps illustrate the changes taken placed in the science park over the years since 2008.
The given maps are a detailed alteration to a science park dating back to 2008. Overall , It is apparent that the park has expanded to include more areas for research development , education and improved accessibility.
Considering the northern end of the park, in 2008 there was considerable untouched natural land that has now been replaced with a research and development center ,the reception area was also removed , while the adjacent offices remain the intact. South of these new facilities, the car park has been reduced in size, the business units are unaltered , and, most significantly, the cyber security building has been expanded, by overtaking previous land.
In the southern part of the park, the circular IT centre has replaced by an innovation centre and on the southernmost tracks a new Train station is established with walkways splitting off to various facilities. Eventually , there are new biking routes added along an eastern road and passing through the centre of the park , along side the car park and new buildings.
In summary, this maps illustrate certain changes in the science park ,since 2008 to the present time.
You have just added added a summary sentence at the end, which wasn’t really required as you do not have to summarize in writing task 1. Rest everything is copied from the above passage.
Yes, exactly – no need for a summary sentence, Urvil.
The map shows details of the science park in 2008 and how it has changed since then until today. From an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that most of the buildings have expanded and developed while the park has lost some greenery.
In 2008, to the northwest and southeast of the park remained grassland and some woodland whereas today the grass has seemed to be removed and quite a little wood remains. In place of the grass to the northwest of the park, today stands the research and development building and opposite to it, the reception has been transformed into a university hub.
The car park at the center of the park has also been renovated to a smaller parking lot along with direct paths to the innovation centre, station, cyber security, and university hub. Furthermore, today the innovation centre takes place instead of the IT centre. A station has also been built to the bottom right corner of the map.
The park also contains a cycle path close to the innovation centre, car park and continues all the way upto the offices and the university hub. A bus stop has emerged to the east of the park.
Yes
I think you forgot the added bus stop.
Thank you Nikki – didn’t notice that kind of odd symbol at all – added in now!