The map below describes changes to a park in 1980 and now.
Sample Response
The map reflects the modification in a park from 1980 to the present. Overall, it is immediately apparent from the map that there are massive changes observed in the park as compared to the Past map. Therefore, gates were removed from the present map and built a four-way entrance for the accessibility of these amenities of the park.
In detail, in 1980, there were four categorisations available in the park. Later, in the right-hand corner, it was a section of trees and got extended with the picnic spot, thus adding chairs and desks along with the barbeque and the location of a tree similar to 1980. Moreover, there were two portions of flowers located in opposite directions, south-west and south-east in 1980, but South-East section was largest as compared to Southwest.
Moreover, in the bottom right corner, the flowers wing was replaced with the playground in the present map and bottom left corner small flowers area was converted into thick bushes. It is interesting to note that, on the west side of the park, the pond and bench are quite similar to 1980, and one more bench was put in with the previous ones. At the same time, the gates were diminished in present maps and give the four directional entrances of the park.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use plural change noun Original: the modification in a park Suggested revision: the changes to a park Why it matters: The map shows several changes, so the plural form and preposition are more accurate.
- 2. Fix passive construction Original: there are massive changes observed Suggested revision: the park has undergone major changes Why it matters: The active construction is grammatical and identifies the park as the thing changed.
- 3. Identify the year Original: Past Suggested revision: 1980 Why it matters: Referring to 1980 gives the comparison a precise time reference.
- 4. Describe physical areas Original: four categorisations available Suggested revision: four distinct areas Why it matters: Categorisations does not naturally describe the park's physical sections.
- 5. Use correct time reference Original: Later, in the right-hand corner Suggested revision: In the present-day map, in the right-hand corner Why it matters: Later clearly signals the current layout instead of an event sequence.
- 6. Give clause a subject Original: it Suggested revision: there Why it matters: The existential construction correctly introduces the feature in this location.
- 7. Use formal change language Original: got extended with the picnic spot Suggested revision: was expanded to include a picnic area Why it matters: This wording clearly describes the addition shown on the present-day map.
- 8. Name the mapped feature Original: two portions of flowers Suggested revision: two flower beds Why it matters: Flower beds is the natural term for the planted areas shown.
- 9. Describe locations precisely Original: directions Suggested revision: corners Why it matters: The features occupy corners rather than directions.
- 10. Add the article Original: South-East section Suggested revision: the south-east section Why it matters: The definite article is required before this specific section.
- 11. Fix comparative form Original: was largest as compared to Southwest Suggested revision: was larger than the south-west section Why it matters: A comparison between two sections requires the comparative larger than.
- 12. Name the feature accurately Original: flowers wing Suggested revision: flower bed Why it matters: Wing is not an appropriate term for the planted area on the map.
Suggested Rewrites
- the modification in a park the changes to a park
- there are massive changes observed the park has undergone major changes
- Past 1980
- four categorisations available four distinct areas
- Later, in the right-hand corner In the present-day map, in the right-hand corner
- it there
Why this response received Band 6.0
The response covers most visible changes, including the new paths, picnic area, playground, bushes, and additional bench, and it generally locates them correctly. Its main limitation is a vague overview and several unclear descriptions, compounded by frequent awkward grammatical constructions. The highest-priority improvement is to state the overall transformation clearly, then compare each 1980 area with its present-day replacement using precise map language.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
Most major features are reported, but the overview is vague and descriptions such as 'four categorisations' do not accurately summarise the park's layout.
Give a specific overview that the gated park became an open, four-section recreational space, then describe each unchanged or replaced feature precisely.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information is divided into an introduction and two detail paragraphs, but progression is weakened by unclear referencing and mechanical use of linkers.
Organise details by area or by unchanged versus replaced features, using fewer linkers and clearer subjects for each comparison.
Lexical Resource
The response shows an adequate range of map vocabulary, but frequent miscollocations such as 'flowers wing', 'gates were diminished', and 'four categorisations' reduce precision.
Use straightforward location and change phrases such as 'flower bed', 'the gates were removed', 'was replaced by', and 'in the north-east'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Both simple and complex forms are attempted, but frequent article, agreement, verb-form, and sentence-construction errors sometimes obscure relationships.
Build each comparison around a controlled past-to-present structure and check articles, passive verbs, and subject-verb agreement systematically.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The map below describes changes to a park in 1980 and now.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.