IELTS Writing Task 1 - Map (Proposed Sites: New Hospital)
One map, two possible sites, nothing built yet. Say where each site is, compare how easy it is to reach and how big it is, and use would for things that have not happened.
Key points
The example question and chart from the video
The map below shows two possible sites (S1 and S2) for a new hospital in the town of Linmouth. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
| S1 | S2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | north-east, just outside the town | town centre |
| Road | beside the main road to Hadley (20 km) | not on the main road |
| Railway | far from the station | right next to the station |
| Housing | far from the housing in the west and south | housing just to its south |
| Size | larger | much smaller |
The main features from the map, so you can follow the model answer.
Band 9 model answer from the video (171 words)
The map illustrates two proposed locations, S1 and S2, for a new hospital in Linmouth.
Overall, S1 is a large site in the countryside beside the main road, whereas S2 is a much smaller site in the town centre, next to the railway station.
S1 is located in the north-east, just outside the town and directly beside the main road to Hadley, which is 20 kilometres away. A hospital built here would be easy to reach by car, both for local people and for patients travelling from Hadley. However, it would be quite far from the railway station and from the housing areas in the west and south of the town.
By contrast, S2 is situated in the town centre, right next to the railway station, with housing just to its south. A hospital on this site would therefore be close to many residents and convenient for people arriving by train. On the other hand, it would not be on the main road, and the site is much smaller than S1.
Chapters in this video (16)
- 0:00Introduction
- 0:53Example Question
- 1:39How This Map Is Different
- 2:18Compass Directions
- 3:12Features on the Map
- 4:06Three Things to Compare
- 5:17Band 9 Answer Structure
- 5:51Writing the Introduction
- 7:03Overview Rules
- 7:27Writing the Overview
- 9:27Organising the Body Paragraphs
- 10:34Body Paragraph 1
- 12:40Body Paragraph 2
- 14:16Complete Answer
- 14:50Key Takeaways
- 15:56Outro
Simple words for proposed sites
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| is located / is situated | is (in a place) | S1 is located in the north-east, just outside the town. |
| directly beside / right next to | very close to | S2 is right next to the railway station. |
| would be easy to reach by | people can get there easily by | A hospital here would be easy to reach by car. |
| whereas / while | to compare two things | S1 is outside the town, whereas S2 is in the town centre. |
| By contrast, | signpost for the second site | By contrast, S2 is situated in the town centre. |
| On the other hand, | introducing a disadvantage | On the other hand, it would not be on the main road. |
Practice task: A new supermarket
The map below shows two possible sites (S1 and S2) for a new supermarket in the town of Brockley. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
Nothing has been built yet, so compare the two sites: where each one is, how easy it is to reach, and how big it is.
Use the present simple for what is on the map (S1 is located in the north-east) and would only for the supermarket (a supermarket here would be easy to reach by car).
Your overview gives the main differences between the sites. Don't choose a winner.
Show model answer (try first!)
The map shows two possible sites, S1 and S2, for a new supermarket in the town of Brockley.
Overall, S1 is a large site on the edge of the town beside the main road, whereas S2 is a much smaller site in the south of the town, away from the main road.
S1 is located in the north-east, just outside the town centre and directly beside the main road to Ashford, which is 15 kilometres away. A supermarket built here would be easy to reach by car, both for local people and for shoppers coming from Ashford. However, it would be quite far from the housing in the west and south of the town.
By contrast, S2 is situated in the south of the town, right next to the school, with the park to its west and housing to its east. A supermarket on this site would therefore be within walking distance for many residents. On the other hand, it would not be on the main road, and the site is much smaller than S1.
175 words
This practice task and its model answer were written for the website. The video teaches the method with its own example (a new hospital in Linmouth), shown above.
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