The plans below show a public park when it first opened in 1920 and the same park today.
Sample Response
The two maps illustrate Grange Park upon its opening in 1920 compared with its current layouttwo plans depict Grange Park as it was when it first opened in 1920 and its present-day configuration.
Overall, the park has undergone substantial redevelopment. Many original garden features have been removed to make way for modern recreational and leisure facilitiesdemolished to accommodate modern leisure amenities, while the two main entrances along Arnold Avenue and Eldon Street have remained in placewhile the two main entrances on Arnold Avenue and Eldon Street have been retained. Only the north-western rose garden survives from the original design.
In the western and central sections, the 1920 musicians' stage has been replacedIn the western and central zones, the 1920 stage for musicians has been replaced by an amphitheatre for concerts. The central fountain has been removed, and a new rose garden with seating on all four sideswith surrounding seating now stands in its place. The original rose gardens in both the north-east and south-west corners have been removed.
On the eastern side of the park, the former glasshouse in the south-east has been replaced by a water feature, while a café and a children’s play area have replaced the north-eastern pond and rose gardenformer glasshouse has been cleared to make space for a café and a children’s play area. A new water feature has replaced the glasshouse in the south-east cornerThe old pond for water plants has been redesigned into a larger water feature, adjacent to which an access point for an underground car park has been added on the eastern boundarybeside which an entrance to an underground car park has been constructed. By contrast, the rose garden in the north-west corner has remained untouched over the century.
Why this response received Band 8.5
The essay presents an exceptionally clear, accurate, and well-structured comparison of the park's key maps and changes over time. It features sophisticated vocabulary and flawlessly executed grammatical structures throughout. To achieve perfection, the candidate could precise minor spatial details, such as explicitly noting the addition of seating surrounding the central rose garden.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All key features and developments are accurately identified, compared, and supported by a clear, high-level overview.
Ensure every spatial detail, such as exact locations of surrounding seating and specific original structures replaced, is mapped with full precision.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information is logically grouped by spatial zones, creating an effortless paragraph flow with precise cohesive devices.
Maintain this high standard by ensuring transition words between contrasting zones remain natural and varied.
Lexical Resource
A wide range of sophisticated, task-appropriate vocabulary is used naturally and flexibly with accurate collocation.
Continue using highly natural lexical features without over-complicating straightforward spatial descriptions.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide variety of complex grammatical structures is produced with full control and complete accuracy.
Sustain this error-free control when combining multiple relative and passive clauses in longer sentences.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The plans below show a public park when it first opened in 1920 and the same park today.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.