IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 – Sample Test 22 (Map)
Task Question
The maps below show how a town centre changed between 1995 and 2020.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Figure: Town centre redevelopment, 1995 vs 2020
Sample Answer (Band 8.0–8.5)
The two maps illustrate the transformation of a town centre between 1995 and 2020. Overall, the area underwent major redevelopment, shifting from a predominantly agricultural and industrial landscape into a more residential and service-oriented hub.
In 1995, the northern part of the town contained farmland, while a large factory was located in the east. The centre featured a marketplace, with a school and some housing in the southern zone. Roads were limited, consisting mainly of a single east–west route and minor connections.
By 2020, extensive changes had taken place. The farmland was replaced with apartment blocks, and the former factory site was transformed into a technology park. The marketplace was removed and redeveloped into a landscaped public park adjacent to a new shopping mall. Road infrastructure was upgraded into a grid layout with roundabouts, while additional residential units appeared in the south. The school was expanded, indicating growing educational needs.
In summary, the town centre shifted from a mixed industrial–agricultural setting to a modernised urban district, characterised by improved housing, commercial facilities, and infrastructure.
Analytical Review – IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 (Test 22, Map)
Overall Verdict
Indicative band: 8.0–8.5
- Task Achievement: Effectively highlights the transformation from farmland and factory areas into residential and commercial spaces.
- Coherence & Cohesion: Clear chronological flow: 1995 → redevelopment stages → 2020 modern layout.
- Lexical Resource: Strong variety such as “redeveloped,” “transformed,” “grid layout,” “landscaped.”
- Grammar: Accurate passive voice, complex clauses, and comparative structures.
Key Weaknesses
- Numerical detail: No specific quantification of change (e.g., “expanded threefold”).
- Sentence length: Some descriptive sentences could be split for clarity.
- Comparative linkage: Insufficient emphasis on pairing industrial decline with residential growth.
- Lexical repetition: Terms like “changed” and “developed” recur too often.
Actionable Improvements (High-Impact)
- Add numerical contrasts: Use expressions like “tripled,” “replaced entirely,” or “expanded by half.”
- Pair developments: Link decline of factories with rise of technology park for sharper contrasts.
- Lexical variety: Introduce verbs like “revamped,” “modernized,” “repurposed.”
- Sentence restructuring: Shorten long passages into concise statements for better readability.
- Highlight narrative: Stress the shift from industrial–agricultural to residential–commercial identity.
Stronger Synonyms (Topic-Fit)
- redeveloped → revamped modernized overhauled
- changed → transformed altered converted
- expanded → enlarged extended broadened
- decline → demise reduction diminution
- residential area → housing district apartment zone
Linking Devices (Cohesion)
- Contrast: whereas, in contrast, unlike, by comparison
- Addition: furthermore, in addition, likewise, moreover
- Result: as a result, consequently, therefore, hence
- Time: initially, subsequently, by 2020, over the period
- Emphasis: notably, strikingly, above all, significantly
- Quant cues: doubled, tripled, entirely replaced, reduced by half
High-Value Collocations (Urban Development)
Rewrite Upgrades (Band-9 polish)
-
Original: “The farmland was replaced with apartments.”
Upgrade: “The former farmland was entirely repurposed into high-rise apartment blocks.” -
Original: “The factory was changed into a technology park.”
Upgrade: “The industrial factory was transformed into a modern technology park, symbolizing a shift to innovation.” -
Original: “The marketplace was redeveloped into a park.”
Upgrade: “The traditional marketplace was overhauled into a landscaped public park, enhancing recreational value.”
Grammar Targets
- Comparatives: “The town was far more residential by 2020 than in 1995.”
- Passives: “The farmland was converted into apartments.”
- Nominalisation: “Significant redevelopment of the town centre occurred.”
- Adverbials: “strikingly transformed,” “substantially modernized.”
Quick Checklist (Before Submit)
- Clear overview of 1995 vs 2020.
- Specific redevelopment examples included.
- Lexical range beyond “change/develop.”
- Mix of short and complex sentences.
- Collocations linked to urban planning and renewal.
تحلیل دوزبانه – IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 (Test 22, Map)
ارزیابی کلی
نمره تقریبی: 8.0 تا 8.5
- پوشش کامل تغییرات از 1995 تا 2020 با مرور کلی شفاف
- انسجام در توالی: وضعیت اولیه → مراحل بازتوسعه → چیدمان نهایی
- واژگان متنوع مثل «نوسازی»، «تبدیل»، «بازسازی»، «محوطهسازی»
- گرامر دقیق شامل مجهول، جملات مرکب و مقایسهای
Overall Verdict
Indicative band: 8.0–8.5
- Task Achievement: Effectively highlights transformation from farmland and factory into residential and commercial areas.
- Coherence & Cohesion: Clear chronological sequence: 1995 → redevelopment phases → 2020 layout.
- Lexical Resource: Rich vocabulary such as “redeveloped,” “transformed,” “grid layout,” “landscaped.”
- Grammar: Accurate use of passive voice, complex clauses, and comparatives.
نقاط ضعف
- عدم اشاره به تغییرات عددی دقیق (مانند دو برابر یا نصف شدن)
- وجود چند جمله طولانی که خوانایی را کم کردهاند
- پیوند ضعیف بین افول صنعتی و رشد مسکونی
- تکرار زیاد واژگانی مانند «تغییر» و «توسعه»
Key Weaknesses
- Numerical detail: No clear quantifiers like “doubled” or “reduced by half.”
- Sentence density: Several long sentences could be simplified.
- Comparative linkage: Insufficient contrast between industrial decline and residential growth.
- Lexical repetition: Overuse of “changed” and “developed.”
پیشنهادهای بهبود
- استفاده از عبارات عددی مثل «سه برابر شدن» یا «به طور کامل جایگزین شدن»
- پیوند مستقیم بین افول کارخانه و رشد تکنولوژیپارک
- تنوعبخشی واژگان با افعالی مثل «بازسازی»، «مدرنسازی»، «تغییرکاربری»
- تقسیم جملات طولانی برای وضوح بیشتر
- تاکید روی تغییر هویت از صنعتی–کشاورزی به مسکونی–تجاری
Actionable Improvements
- Add quantifiers: Use “tripled,” “entirely replaced,” “expanded by half.”
- Pair contrasts: Link fall of factories with rise of technology park.
- Lexical variety: Add “revamped,” “modernized,” “repurposed.”
- Sentence clarity: Break long sentences into shorter units.
- Narrative focus: Highlight the shift from agriculture/industry to housing/commercial identity.
مترادفهای قوی
- بازسازی → revamp, modernize, overhaul
- تغییر → transform, convert, alter
- گسترش → enlarge, extend, broaden
- افول → demise, reduction, diminution
- منطقه مسکونی → housing district, apartment zone
Stronger Synonyms
- redeveloped → revamped, modernized, overhauled
- changed → transformed, converted, altered
- expanded → enlarged, extended, broadened
- decline → demise, reduction, diminution
- residential area → housing district, apartment zone
حروف ربط
- تضاد: در حالی که، در مقابل، بر خلاف
- افزودن: علاوه بر این، همچنین، همینطور
- نتیجه: بنابراین، در نتیجه، از این رو
- زمان: ابتدا، سپس، تا سال 2020
- تاکید: به طور چشمگیر، قابل توجه، بالاتر از همه
Linking Devices
- Contrast: whereas, in contrast, unlike
- Addition: furthermore, likewise, also
- Result: therefore, consequently, as a result
- Time: initially, subsequently, by 2020
- Emphasis: notably, strikingly, significantly
- Quant cues: doubled, tripled, halved