Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Comparison of Porth Harbour development between the year 2000 and today: IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 1 map question with a Band 8 sample answer, the chart redrawn with its data, the vocabulary that lifts the report and how to write about maps.
  • 188 words
  • Maps
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The plans below show a harbor in 2000 and how it looks today.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Porth Harbour (in 2000)

2000

  • Main road on the west
  • Showers and toilets north-west
  • Car park south of showers
  • Marina for private yachts north-east of car park
  • Fishing boats south of marina
  • Dock with passenger ferries in the north-east
  • Public beach in the north-east
  • Lifeboat station on the central pier
  • Disused castle on the eastern peninsula
  • Public beach south of the castle
Porth Harbour (today)

Today

  • Main road on the west
  • Showers and toilets north-west
  • Car park south of showers
  • Fishing boats north-east of car park
  • Second set of showers and toilets south of car park
  • Second car park south of new showers
  • Marina for private yachts east of new facilities
  • Dock with passenger ferries in the north-east
  • Public beach in the north-east
  • Cafés and shops on the central pier
  • Lifeboat station on the central pier
  • Hotel on the eastern peninsula
  • Private beach for the hotel south of the peninsula

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8188 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The maps illustrate the transformation of Porth Harbour from 2000 to the present day. Overall, the harbour has seen extensive development, shifting from a primarily functional maritime site to a more tourist-oriented destination with enhanced amenities.

In 2000, the western side of the harbour featured a single car park and a block of showers and toilets, while the central pier housed only a lifeboat station. The eastern peninsula was occupied by a disused castle, and the public beach was accessible to all. The marina for private yachts was located north of the fishing boats, and the dock for passenger ferries remained in the north-east.

Today, the infrastructure has expanded considerably. A second car park and an additional set of showers and toilets have been constructed to the south of the original facilities. The fishing boats and marina have swapped positions, with the marina now located further south. Notably, the central pier now includes a row of cafés and shops alongside the lifeboat station. Furthermore, the disused castle has been converted into a hotel, and the adjacent public beach has been designated as a private beach for hotel guests.

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Maps

How to write about maps: tips and vocabulary

  • →Overview: how much the area changed and what stayed the same.
  • →Use location language: to the north of, adjacent to, replaced by.
  • →Group changes by area or by type, such as housing, roads and green space.
  • transformation

    a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance

  • amenities

    useful or desirable features of a building or place

  • occupied

    resided in or filled a specific space or area

  • converted

    changed the form, character, or function of something

  • adjacent

    next to or adjoining something else very closely

  • designated

    officially assigned a specified status or name

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The harbour has undergone significant commercial expansion, including the addition of new tourist facilities and the conversion of the disused castle into a hotel.

How many words and how long for IELTS Writing Task 1?+

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How is IELTS Writing Task 1 scored?+

On four criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. A clear overview of the main features is what most separates Band 6 from Band 7 and above.

How do I describe maps?+

Overview: how much the area changed and what stayed the same. Use location language: to the north of, adjacent to, replaced by. Group changes by area or by type, such as housing, roads and green space.

Keep practising

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