Maps show changes in art gallery
Sample Response
The maps show art gallery before and after it has been developed. Overall, most transformations have taken place on the western part of the art exhibition, where a number of new facilities have been built, while the eastern part has been left completely unchanged. Additionally, the gallery becomes children-friendly and disabled people with wheelchair can visit without difficulties after the changes.
Prior to developments, the art gallery had a relatively simple layout compared to its current look. Back in 2005, there used to be a café in the north-western corner, to the south of which was gallery office. South-west was where an exhibition room 4 was located to the right of the entrance and on the left there were three exhibition rooms located consecutively. Just above the entrance, there was an entrance hall stood adjacent to the receptionist.
Following construction, the art gallery has undergone the arrival of several new amenities making it accessible for almost everyone. One of the significant changes is the introduction of the gallery shop instead of the café and the building has relatively shrunk in size. Just below the shop, the old gallery office has been removed, making way for the installment of a vending machine where visitors can buy some snacks and drinks. Exhibition room 4 in the south-west has been replaced by a temporary exhibition and children’s playground. Furthermore, beside the entrance and just under the children’s area there can be found a ramp for wheelchair users. Finally, elevator has been available for art visitors next to the stairs in the north, while the exhibition rooms in the west have remained unchanged.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Vocabulary choice Original: children-friendly Suggested revision: child-friendly Why it matters: The standard compound adjective is 'child-friendly'.
- 2. Grammar/Article Original: disabled people with wheelchair Suggested revision: wheelchair users Why it matters: Using 'wheelchair users' or 'disabled people in wheelchairs' is grammatically correct and more natural.
- 3. Directional error Original: to the right of the entrance and on the left there were three exhibition rooms Suggested revision: to the left of the entrance and on the right there were three exhibition rooms Why it matters: According to the map, Exhibition Room 4 is on the left (west) and Rooms 1-3 are on the right (east).
- 4. Double verb error Original: there was an entrance hall stood adjacent Suggested revision: there was an entrance hall standing adjacent Why it matters: You cannot have two main verbs ('was' and 'stood') in this structure without a relative pronoun. Use a present participle ('standing') instead.
- 5. Inaccurate detail Original: the building has relatively shrunk in size Suggested revision: the shop is relatively smaller than the original café Why it matters: The overall gallery building has not shrunk; only the shop area is smaller than the previous café area.
- 6. Word choice Original: installment Suggested revision: installation Why it matters: 'Installment' refers to parts of a payment or a serial story. 'Installation' is the correct noun for setting up equipment.
- 7. Inaccurate label Original: children’s playground Suggested revision: children's area Why it matters: The map labels this as a 'Children's area', not a 'playground'. Stick to the terms provided in the diagram.
- 8. Missing article Original: Finally, elevator has been available Suggested revision: Finally, a lift has been installed Why it matters: Singular countable nouns like 'lift' or 'elevator' require an article ('a lift'). Also, 'has been installed' is more appropriate than 'has been available' for describing a physical change.
- 9. Directional error Original: while the exhibition rooms in the west have remained unchanged. Suggested revision: while the exhibition rooms in the east have remained unchanged. Why it matters: Exhibition rooms 1, 2, and 3 are on the eastern side of the gallery, not the west.
- 10. Overview refinement Original: Additionally, the gallery becomes children-friendly and disabled people with wheelchair can visit without difficulties after the changes. Suggested revision: Additionally, the updated gallery has been made more accessible with the introduction of a wheelchair ramp and a lift. Why it matters: The original sentence is a bit informal and speculative. Describing the specific accessibility features shown on the map (ramp, lift) is more precise.
- 11. Correct spatial layout Suggested revision: In 2005, the western side of the gallery housed a café in the northwest corner, with the gallery office situated directly to its south, and Exhibition Room 4 in the southwest. In contrast, the eastern side consisted of three consecutive exhibition rooms (1, 2, and 3) running from south to north. Why it matters: The original paragraph completely inverted the left (west) and right (east) sides of the gallery, which is a major task achievement error.
- 12. Check Compass Directions Suggested revision: Always establish a clear mental compass before writing. Left is West, Right is East, Top is North, and Bottom is South. Confusing these leads to a significant penalty in Task Achievement. Why it matters: The candidate mixed up East/West and Left/Right multiple times, which severely impacts the accuracy of the description.
Suggested Rewrites
- children-friendly child-friendly
- disabled people with wheelchair wheelchair users
- to the right of the entrance and on the left there were three exhibition rooms to the left of the entrance and on the right there were three exhibition rooms
- there was an entrance hall stood adjacent there was an entrance hall standing adjacent
- the building has relatively shrunk in size the shop is relatively smaller than the original café
- installment installation
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The response includes a clear overview and covers most of the main changes. However, it contains significant directional errors that confuse the layout of the gallery.
Double-check compass directions (North, South, East, West) and relative positions (left/right) against the visual prompt before writing to avoid describing the map backwards.
Coherence and Cohesion
The essay is organized logically into paragraphs (introduction/overview, 2005 layout, and present-day layout). Cohesive devices are used, though some transitions are slightly repetitive.
Use more varied spatial transition words (e.g., 'Opposite this', 'In the adjacent space', 'Parallel to') to improve the flow of geographical descriptions.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with some good attempts at describing changes (e.g., 'undergone the arrival of', 'making way for'). However, there are some awkward word choices and minor errors.
Focus on learning precise collocations for map tasks, such as 'installation of facilities' and 'demolished/replaced by'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The candidate uses a mix of simple and complex structures. Passive voice is used appropriately for changes, but there are several grammatical slips and awkward constructions.
Review relative clauses and participle clauses to avoid double-verb errors like 'there was... stood'.