HOME PREPARATION
Task 1. Write these verbs in the correct column of the table below
build construct convert cut down demolish enlarge erect
expand extend industrialize introduce knock down make into modernize
pull down redevelop remove replace transform turn into urbanize
make bigger take away add something replaced with general changes
new something else
Task 2. Complete this table with noun forms of the verbs. Use a dictionary to help you if
necessary
verb noun verb noun
demolish transform
construct industrialize
build erect
open modernize
expand urbanize
convert redevelop
introduce pedestrianlize
replace enlarge
extend disappear
VOCABULARY
Exercise 1. The passage is about Raquel Fernandez’s opinion of the changes in her hometown
between 2000 and today. Read the passage and underline the information showing the main
changes based on the diagram below.
Well, I don't think the people have changed much, they've always been really friendly and welcoming
to outsiders, but what strikes me is that the city has become much more modern and dynamic. Ten
years ago, the city used to be very calm and quiet, but there have been lots of changes, and now it's
much faster and more exciting to live in.
One area which has seen big improvements is transport. A new tram line has been built, connecting
the University of Castellón with the main train station. This has made it much easier to get to the uni.
Another interesting thing is that a bike-rental scheme has been introduced all over the city, which
means that you can hire a bike for free, ride it for up to two hours, then leave it in another area of the
city. This is great. Also, a new, very modern, train station has been built, and the old train station has
been converted into a police station. The university has been expanded, and they've built a new hall of
residence for students to live in.
Castellón is really well known as a market town, but in the last ten years, the old market building has
been knocked down to make way for new shops, and a completely new, covered market has been
constructed. It's really great, it's much bigger than the old one, and there are more choices of things to
buy there. Also, in the north-east of the city, a new shopping complex has been built. The area used to
be full of trees, but the trees were cut down and replaced by new shops. It's a great place to spend an
afternoon browsing the shops with your friends.
The port area has been completely redeveloped and modernized. They've built a new cinema on the
waterfront, and there are lots of new bars and clubs near the beach, where you can enjoy yourself,
particularly in the summer. The port area has also been pedestrianized, which is so nice, because you
can walk around in peace and relax without hearing the sounds of cars all the time.
Overall, there has been a shift towards becoming a modern, vibrant city, and it's great to live here. In
terms of the future, an airport is under construction at the moment, and it is due to open in three years'
time, which will be fantastic. I've also heard that the council is planning to create a new nature park on
the outskirts of the city, and I'm looking forward to going there when it opens.
Exercise 2. Write the underlined information into the correct categories.
General changes
The changes in the port area
The changes near the city center
DESCRIBE TWO MAPS
This type of task often shows changes over time of a place illustrated by two different diagrams. You
will have to describe the main changes between two maps:
● in the past
● one in the past and one in the present
● one in the present and one in the future
Exercise 3. Match each description of the changes below to its correct timeline
1. The pictures illustrate the changes in Shipsmouth a. one in the past and one in the present
between 1995 and 2010
2. The plans below show the site of an airport now and b. one in the present and one in the future
how it will look after redevelopment next year.
3. The diagram below shows the floor plan of a public c. in the past
library 20 years ago and how it looks now.
INTRODUCTION
We analyze the question based on What/ Where/ When and paraphrase the question to avoid
copying exact phrases and sentences from the task and diagram title.
Exercise 4. Write the introductions based on the suggested phrases below
Past or Past The diagram The change/ that What? When?
and Present shows/ renovation/ happened in/
illustrates/ redevelopment were made to an airport, a Between
portrays/ give library, the 1995 and
information city… 2010/
about the year
2000 and
today
Future The diagram What? as it is and its When?
shows/ now/in renovation
illustrates/ an airport, a present/now plans/ for the next 2
portrays/ give library, the redevelopment years
information city… plans
about
1. The pictures illustrate the changes in Shipsmouth between 1995 and 2010.
__________________________________________________________________________________
2. The plans below show the site of an airport now and how it will look after redevelopment next year.
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. The diagram below shows the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.
__________________________________________________________________________________
GRAMMAR
1. The time periods of the two maps are both in the past, we use
● the past simple passive:
The old station was knocked down, and a new modern station was built in its place
● the past perfect passive (‘by + date + past perfect passive’):
The old station was knocked down, and by 2010 a new one had been built in its place
2. Changes between a time in the past and one in the present, we use
● the present perfect passive (to describe the changes)
A new tram line has been built
However, “take place”, “become”, “change” and “make way for” can NOT be used in passive
voice
A number of important changes have taken place in the last decade
The cinema was knocked down to make way for a new shopping center
The city has become much more modern
● the past simple (to list features in the past) and present simple (to list current features)
Twenty years ago, to the left of the entrance, there was a reading room with newspapers and
magazines, and to the right, there was an enquiry desk. Now there's a computer room on the left and a
café where the information desk once was.
3. Changes between a time in the present and the future, we use
● the future simple passive (to describe the changes)
A car hire facility would also be built on the right-side of the arrival hall.
● the present simple (to list current features) and future simple (to list the planned
features)
As the maps suggest, the airport now has eight gates, and two entry and departure points. After the
renovation of the airport, it will have a bigger concourse area with eighteen gates to serve more
passengers at a time
MAKE NOTES ABOUT DETAILS
Exercise 5. Look at the diagram below and make notes about the differences between the before
and after pictures. Ask yourself these questions:
● What will stay the same?
● What will get bigger or smaller?
● What will change from A to B?
● What will be added or removed?
Before
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
After
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
OVERVIEW
In the overview part, we should mention the overall effect of the changes.
● We should use vocabulary that describes overall changes (Eg: modernize, urbanize,
industrialize, pedestrianize, expand, etc…)
● We should mentions the noticable features of change between two maps
Example:
What is the main change?
Modernization (the disappearance of ………….. and the construction of …………...)
Exercise 6. Write an overview for the diagram in Exercise 1 and Exercise 5
Ex1:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
(Sample answer) In general, it appears that Castellon has become a much more modern city, with far
more shopping and transport facilities
Ex5:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
(Sample answer) The library was larger and it had more rooms after the renovations were done
BODY PARAGRAPHS
With map questions, we also need to write two body paragraphs (body 1 and body 2). We can group
information in body paragraphs by time, location and trend.
Approach 1: By time
Body 1: Describe the key features of the first map
Body 2: Describe the changes happened to the key features mentioned in Body 1
● This approach should be used for diagrams which have complex structure (Eg: airport).
● It is unsuitable when there are too many changes between two time periods.
Approach 2: By location
Divide each picture into two areas (area 1 and area 2) based on the noted key features and
geographical features .
Body 1: Describe the changes happened to key features in area 1
Body 2: Describe the changes happened to key features in area 2
● This approach is often suitable to describe maps which show various changes.
● It is unsuitable for maps which have complex structure and lack a compass
●
Approach 3: By trend
Each body describe a trend by grouping details by type of changes:
Body 1: Parts of the place that stay the same, expand, or shrink
Body 2: Parts of the place that have been replaced, added, or removed
● This approach is suitable to illustrate maps which show similar types of changes in different
areas
PRACTICE
Exercise 7. Look at the map that shows The two maps below show an island, before and after
the construction of some tourist facilities. Group details together by three different
approaches: time, location, and type of changes. Then, decide which one is the most suitable.
By time By location By trend
Body 1
Body 2
(Sample)
The diagrams illustrate some changes to a small island which has been developed for tourism.
It is clear that the island has changed considerably with the introduction of tourism, and six new
features can be seen in the second diagram. The main developments are that the island is accessible
and visitors have somewhere to stay.
Looking at the maps in more detail, we can see that small huts have been built to accommodate
visitors to the island. The other physical structures that have been added are a reception building, in
the middle of the island, and a restaurant to the north of the reception. Before these developments, the
island was completely bare apart from a few trees.
As well as the buildings mentioned above, the new facilities on the island include a pier, where boats
can dock. There is also a short road linking the pier with the reception and restaurant, and footpaths
connect the huts. Finally, there is a designated swimming area for tourists off a beach on the western
tip of the island.
NOTE:
In IELTS Writing Task 1 Map type, We could also encounter a map question that required us to
describe the changes over time of a place illustrated by three different diagrams.
With this type of map question, we should prioritize grouping the information by time.
Sample
The diagrams illustrate how West Park Secondary School has changed since it was built in 1950.
Overall, the main school building remained unchanged throughout the whole time frame, while the
farmland and houses were removed to make way for a car park, a science block and a sports field in
later years.
In 1950 the area around the school consisted of houses and farmland to the left of the school. There
was also a playground behind the school and a main road in front. Looking at the map for 1980, it
can be seen that the houses were demolished and a science block and a car park were built there.
Another noticeable change is that the farmland was converted into a sports field, while the
playground remained unchanged.
By 2010, although the science block remained untouched, it is evident that the sports field was
relocated and made smaller. Additionally, the playground was reduced in size to make way for a
larger parking facility. The main school building itself and the main road did not change over the 60
years.
HOMEWORK
Task 1. Based on Diagram A and Diagram B to complete the body paragraphs with suitable
words and phrases. Then, detect which method was used to write the body paragraphs of each
Diagram.
Diagram 1. The diagram below shows the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and
how it looks now.
Twenty years ago, to the left of the entrance, there was ________ with ________ and
________ , and to the right, there was ________ . Now there's a computer room on the left
and a café where the information desk once was. Adult fiction ________ to the right-hand
side of the room and all reference books are now on the left. There is a smaller ________
with ________ in what once was the adult non-fiction section.
There was a room at the back left-hand corner that had ________, ________, and
________that have since been ______with the addition of ________. It has a space with two
________where ________ are held. There is ________ in the back right-hand corner where
children's books used to be.
There was a ________in the center, with a ________ situated center left, a ________ to the
right of the Eldon Street entrance, and ________ in the northeast corner opposite. Around the
edges of the park, there were________, with ________nearby for people to smell the flowers
and listen to music.
The park has altered considerably since then. Now there is one ________, occupying the
central area where the fountain stood, and with ________all around it. One of the smaller
rose gardens ______ on the north side of the park. The bandstand (stage for musicians) has
also been _______by ________ and associated seating. The glasshouse has _____and in its
place is ________; similarly, where the pond for water plants ______there is now a
________with ________ nearby. Access to the park is still via the two original ________, but
there is now a ________ near________ from ________.
Task 2. The plans below show the site of an airport now and how it will look after
redevelopment next year.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant
(Sample) The diagrams portray what the Southwest airport looks like now as well as what the
same place would be like a year later when the renovation works would be complete.
Overall, the Southwest airport will be expanded, and it will offer far more facilities and better
accessibility for passengers after the development work is done.
As the illustration suggests, the airport now has a single arrival and departure area. The
departure area is on the left of the building and has a cafe, while the arrival area does not
have such amenities. Straight ahead of the arrival area, customs and passport control could
be seen. Similarly, passport control and security are located for departing passengers. The
airport now has eight gates, two walkways, and check-in areas.
After the development work, which is expected to be done next year, the airport will have
eighteen gates, and a sky train inside the airport. New shops will be built, and the departing
passengers will have access to bag drop facilities. It will be built where the check-in point is
now. Opposite it, there will be the check-in point. The renovated airport will have more
departure and entry points to serve more passengers at a time. It will also have ATMs and
cafes for passengers in the arrival area. Finally, a car hire facility would also be included on
the right-side of the arrival hall.
