The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourist facilities.
Sample Response
The map compares two stages of an island - before and after the development of tourist facilities. As can be seen, only a few trees and a beach were present on the island but many tourist amenities were built afterwards. After the construction, significant changes have been done to increase the attraction of island while trees and plants were not whacked to renovate the island. Many facilities like accommodations, a restaurant, a reception centre, a pier for boating, footpaths and vehicle tracks were built. Most of the developments were done near the beach area. Beside, footpaths were made to let people access the cottages and beach area while road tracks were constructed to drive through restaurants, reception centre and pier area. In summary, after the construction, the island got ready to provide numerous facilities to tourists. Furthermore, trees and plants were present to give pleasure to its tourists and not cutting them was a good idea for a tourist place like this island.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use plural subject Original: The map Suggested revision: The maps Why it matters: The task contains two maps, so the noun should be plural.
- 2. Use correct collocation Original: changes have been done Suggested revision: changes were made Why it matters: Changes are made rather than done, and the past simple fits the completed development.
- 3. Fix noun phrase Original: the attraction of island Suggested revision: the island's attractiveness Why it matters: The possessive form and noun choice make the phrase grammatical and natural.
- 4. Use formal map language Original: were not whacked Suggested revision: were retained Why it matters: Whacked is informal and does not precisely describe trees preserved during development.
- 5. Clarify development context Original: to renovate the island Suggested revision: during the redevelopment Why it matters: An island is redeveloped rather than renovated in this context.
- 6. Use formal example marker Original: facilities like Suggested revision: facilities such as Why it matters: Such as is more appropriate for listing facilities in an academic description.
- 7. Use correct noun Original: accommodations Suggested revision: accommodation units Why it matters: Accommodation is normally uncountable, while the map shows separate units.
- 8. Describe feature precisely Original: a pier for boating Suggested revision: a pier Why it matters: The visual labels this feature as a pier without specifying boating as its purpose.
- 9. Correct the location Original: Most of the developments were done near the beach area. Suggested revision: Most of the new facilities were built in the central and western parts of the island. Why it matters: The map places the main facilities centrally and westward rather than mainly beside the beach.
- 10. Use correct connector Original: Beside Suggested revision: Besides Why it matters: Besides is the additive connector needed here, whereas beside expresses physical position.
- 11. Add infinitive marker Original: people access Suggested revision: people to access Why it matters: The structure let people requires a following infinitive with to in this passive construction.
- 12. Match map labels Original: the cottages and beach area Suggested revision: the accommodation units and the beach Why it matters: These terms align more closely with the features shown on the map.
Suggested Rewrites
- The map The maps
- changes have been done changes were made
- the attraction of island the island's attractiveness
- were not whacked were retained
- to renovate the island during the redevelopment
- facilities like facilities such as
Why this response received Band 6.0
The response gives a clear overall account of the island's transformation and identifies most of the new facilities and transport links. Its main limitation is imprecise selection and description of spatial features, alongside some irrelevant opinion and recurring awkward language. The highest priority is to organise accurate comparisons of the two accommodation areas, access routes, swimming beach, and preserved undeveloped land using precise map language.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
A clear overview and most major additions are presented, but spatial detail is limited and the claim that most development is near the beach is imprecise.
Compare the two accommodation clusters and their routes more precisely, and mention the swimming area and undeveloped eastern end instead of adding personal opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information progresses from the overall transformation to facilities and access, although the single-block presentation and repeated concluding overview weaken organisation.
Separate the overview from two grouped detail paragraphs, one on facilities and one on access and retained natural features.
Lexical Resource
The response uses relevant map vocabulary, but several choices and collocations such as 'whacked', 'attraction of island', and 'road tracks' are inappropriate or inaccurate.
Use neutral, precise map expressions such as 'remained intact', 'increased the island's appeal', and 'vehicle tracks'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex structures communicates the main meaning, but article, agreement, preposition, and passive-form errors recur.
Improve control of articles and passive constructions, especially in phrases describing what was built, preserved, and connected.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourist facilities.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.