This is an IELTS Cambridge 13 Map Sample Answer based on a map of a sports centre now and future plans for its redevelopment.
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When it comes to IELTS task 1 writing, I prefer to write about maps. I think it is easier to structure and describe all the information.
The trickiest part is the overview. I tell my students that they should focus on two things: what changed and a way to group/describe the changes. This is very similar to the overview for a process.
A lot of students make the mistake of just listing the changes or saying that there were major changes. Those don’t count as overviews and you will get band 5 for task achievement.
Make sure that you describe the changes but also define them in some way – for example, by saying that the building has become more modern.
Just be careful not to veer into opinion. Modern is fine. Convenient is not because that is opinion/specualtion about how people will view the changes.
As always, practice makes perfect!
Check out some task 2 sample answers here.
Here is another task 1 writing sample also from IELTS Cambridge 13.
Enjoy!
Dave
IELTS Writing Task 1: University Sports Centre Map (IELTS Cambridge 13) by Dave (former IELTS examiner)
The plans below show the layout of a university’s sports centre now, and how it will look after redevelopment.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
The diagrams detail the present construction of a sports centre and plans for its renovation. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are plans to remove the outdoor courts and expand the gym with additional facilities for swimming, changing, dancing, and activities largely unrelated to exercise like shopping and having coffee.
At the moment, the university’s main building is flanked by large outdoor courts. The plan is to remove the western courts in favour of a leisure pool larger in size than the current pool, which will itself remain unchanged during renovations. The entire main building will not undergo alterations including the changing rooms, reception and seating area. The only slight exception is that the gym on the northern end of the building will be lengthened eastwards and connect with two new adjoining dance studios.
The outdoor court on the eastern side will be replaced by a sports hall and to the southeast of the sports hall the university will add an additional changing room (which is mirrored by the same room in the southwestern corner of the plans) and an abutting cafe to the west. The large entrance area will not be impeded in any way but a new sports shop will open next to the westernmost changing room.
Analysis
1. The diagrams detail the present construction of a sports centre and plans for its renovation. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are plans to remove the outdoor courts and expand the gym with additional facilities for swimming, changing, dancing, and activities largely unrelated to exercise like shopping and having coffee.
1. My first sentence repeats the topic. This sentence won’t have a major impact on your vocabulary or task achievement score so write it as quickly as possible!
2. The second sentence is my general overview. Be sure that you at least touch on all areas (without simply listing them) by trying to group them together in some say (and define, not give an opinion on, the biggest changes). Try to limit your overview to one or two sentences, though you can add on a conclusion at the end with more information if you feel your overview didn’t include all the changes.
1. At the moment, the university’s main building is flanked by large outdoor courts. 2. The plan is to remove the western courts in favour of a leisure pool larger in size than the current pool, which will itself remain unchanged during renovations. 3. The entire main building will not undergo alterations including the changing rooms, reception and seating area. 4. The only slight exception is that the gym on the northern end of the building will be lengthened eastwards and connect with two new adjoining dance studios.
1. I begin with the map in the past and a general description of the largest area of the map. Try to give your writing a logical structure starting with the topic sentence.
2. The second sentence describes one of the biggest changes (the new pool) and includes a part of the map that has not changed. It is important to mention what changes as well as what doesn’t change.
3. My third sentence further details the areas that will not change.
4. My fourth sentence includes an exception and some of the other changes taking place near the main building.
1. The outdoor court on the eastern side will be replaced by a sports hall and to the southeast of the sports hall the university will add an additional changing room (which is mirrored by the same room in the southwestern corner of the plans) and an abutting cafe to the west. 2. The large entrance area will not be impeded in any way but a new sports shop will open next to the westernmost changing room.
1. In the first sentence I describe the changes to the courts and what will replace them.
2. The second sentence finishes describing all the changes not yet mentioned as well as the entrance area (which will not change).
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the gaps with the useful vocabulary for maps:
The diagrams detail the present _________________ of a sports centre and plans for its _____________. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are plans to ____________ the outdoor courts and ____________ the gym with ____________ facilities for swimming, changing, dancing, and activities ____________ unrelated to exercise like shopping and having coffee.
At the moment, the university’s main building is ____________ by large outdoor courts. The plan is to remove the western courts ____________ a leisure pool larger in size than the current pool, which will itself remain unchanged during renovations. The entire main building will not ____________ including the changing rooms, reception and seating area. The only ____________ is that the gym on the northern end of the building will be ____________ ____________ and ____________ with two new ____________ dance studios.
The outdoor court on the eastern side will be ____________ a sports hall and to the ____________ of the sports hall the university will add an additional changing room (which is ____________ the same room in the southwestern corner of the plans) and an ____________ cafe to the west. The large entrance area will not be ____________ in any way but a new sports shop will open next to the westernmost changing room.
Answers
The diagrams detail the present construction of a sports centre and plans for its renovation. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are plans to remove the outdoor courts and expand the gym with additional facilities for swimming, changing, dancing, and activities largely unrelated to exercise like shopping and having coffee.
At the moment, the university’s main building is flanked by large outdoor courts. The plan is to remove the western courts in favour of a leisure pool larger in size than the current pool, which will itself remain unchanged during renovations. The entire main building will not undergo alterations including the changing rooms, reception and seating area. The only slight exception is that the gym on the northern end of the building will be lengthened eastwards and connect with two new adjoining dance studios.
The outdoor court on the eastern side will be replaced by a sports hall and to the southeast of the sports hall the university will add an additional changing room (which is mirrored by the same room in the southwestern corner of the plans) and an abutting cafe to the west. The large entrance area will not be impeded in any way but a new sports shop will open next to the westernmost changing room.
Vocabulary Definitions
construction: the buildings
renovation: to remodel or change
remove: to get rid of
expand: to make larger
additional: another one
unrelated: not related, different
flanked: on either side of
in favour of: in order to have, replaced by
undergo alterations: have changes made
slight exception: small difference
lengthened eastwards: made longer going to the East
connect: join together
adjoining: connected
replaced: takes the place of
southeast: to the south and east
mirrored: reflected, in the same place but on the other side
abutting: next to
impeded: in the way of, blocking
Grammar Practice
I put some grammar mistakes related to prepositions in it – can you find and correct all the prepositions?
The diagrams detail the present construction of a sports centre and plans to its renovation. Looking at an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are plans for remove the outdoor courts and expand the gym towards additional facilities for swimming, changing, dancing, and activities largely unrelated with exercise like shopping and having coffee.
At the moment, the university’s main building is flanked in large outdoor courts. The plan is to remove the western courts in favour at a leisure pool larger in size that the current pool, which will itself remain unchanged during renovations. The entire main building will not undergo alterations including the changing rooms, reception and seating area. The only slight exception is that the gym upon the northern end of the building will be lengthened eastwards and connect for two new adjoining dance studios.
The outdoor court on the eastern side will on replaced by a sports hall and to the southeast of the sports hall the university will add an additional changing room (which is mirrored for the same room in the southwestern corner at the plans) and an abutting cafe at the west. The large entrance area will not be impeded in any way but a new sports shop will open next to the westernmost changing room.
Answers
The diagrams detail the present construction of a sports centre and plans for its renovation. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are plans to remove the outdoor courts and expand the gym with additional facilities for swimming, changing, dancing, and activities largely unrelated to exercise like shopping and having coffee.
At the moment, the university’s main building is flanked by large outdoor courts. The plan is to remove the western courts in favour of a leisure pool larger in size that the current pool, which will itself remain unchanged during renovations. The entire main building will not undergo alterations including the changing rooms, reception and seating area. The only slight exception is that the gym on the northern end of the building will be lengthened eastwards and connect with two new adjoining dance studios.
The outdoor court on the eastern side will be replaced by a sports hall and to the southeast of the sports hall the university will add an additional changing room (which is mirrored by the same room in the southwestern corner of the plans) and an abutting cafe to the west. The large entrance area will not be impeded in any way but a new sports shop will open next to the westernmost changing room.
Links
You can find some useful images for task 1 writing here on HowtodoIELTS’ Instagram.
Here are some links related to maps:
Why All World Maps are Wrong
Maps that Show Us Who We are (not just Where We are) | Danny Dorling
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