The maps below show a town centre in 1990 and the same town centre today.

Town Centre Changes 1990 and Today - IELTS Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 8 · 227 words.

The maps illustrate the development of a town centre between 1990 and the present day. Overall, the town has undergone significant modernization, characterized by the replacement of several small shops with a large retail complex, the conversion of residential housing into high-density apartments, and the introduction of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

Looking at the northern section of the town, the row of individual shops along Smith has been demolished to make way for a large shopping mall. The childcare centre, located adjacent to these shops, has remained unchanged, as has the bank situated on the eastern side of the town.

Moving to the central area, the park, library, and Town Hall have all been preserved. However, a new pedestrian crossing has been added across Oldfield Street near the Town Hall. On the western side, the two banks located on Oldfield Street have been reduced to just one, with the space formerly occupied by the second bank now housing a café.

Significant changes are evident in the southern part of the town. The row of houses along Green Street has been cleared and replaced with a complex of apartment blocks. Similarly, the houses situated in the south-eastern corner have been removed to construct further apartment buildings. Finally, a pedestrian crossing has been introduced on the northern section of Oldfield Street, connecting the shopping mall to the bank across the road.

Examiner feedback

The response is exceptionally well-written, offering a clear and comprehensive comparison of the two maps with a logical geographical structure. Key features are accurately highlighted, supported by a sophisticated range of vocabulary and grammatical structures.

Task Achievement - 8

- The response successfully covers all requirements of the task with a clear and comprehensive comparison between the two maps. - Key features are well-selected, such as the replacement of shops with a shopping mall and houses with apartments. - A clear and effective overview is provided in the introduction, capturing the main structural transformations.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Information is logically organised using a clear geographical approach (northern, central, and southern sections). - Cohesive devices and reference words are managed smoothly to guide the reader through the maps. - Paragraphing is skilfully handled to separate different areas of the town.

Lexical Resource - 8

- A wide and precise range of vocabulary is used to describe changes, such as 'modernization', 'demolished', 'high-density apartments', and 'pedestrian-friendly'. - Collocations and word formation are generally accurate and natural. - Minor slips like missing 'Street' after 'Smith' do not detract significantly from the strong lexical control.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 8

- A wide range of complex sentence structures is used with flexibility and accuracy. - Punctuation and verb tenses (present perfect for changes, present simple for permanent features) are well controlled. - Sentences are mostly error-free and flow naturally.

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