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The development of a town center (Present vs Future)
The Question:
The maps below show a town center as it is now and plans for its development in the future.
✍️ Band 9 Model Answer
The two maps illustrate the proposed transformations for a town center, comparing the existing layout with a future development plan.
Overall, the town center is set to undergo a significant modernization process, shifting from a primarily industrial and low-density area to a more residential and pedestrian-friendly urban hub. The most notable changes include the construction of new housing and the introduction of a ring road.
In the current layout, the center is dominated by several large factories located to the south of the main road. However, the future plans call for the complete demolition of these industrial sites to make way for a sprawling residential area. To the north of the main road, the currently vacant land will be replaced by a large shopping center and a new park, providing leisure and retail facilities for the incoming residents.
The transportation infrastructure is also slated for a major overhaul. The existing main road, which currently runs directly through the center, will be restricted to pedestrians only, creating a centralized mall. To accommodate vehicular traffic, a new dual-carriageway ring road will be constructed, encircling the entire development area. Additionally, a new train station is planned for the southeastern corner, significantly improving the town's connectivity to neighboring regions.
✨ Key Vocabulary & Phrasing
Pedestrian-friendlyDesigned for people who are walking rather than driving.
SprawlingSpreading out over a large area in an untidy or irregular way.
Slated forScheduled or planned to happen.
OverhaulA thorough examination of a system or machine, with any necessary repairs or changes.
EncirclingForming a circle around; surrounding.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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You should spend exactly 20 minutes on Task 1. This leaves you with 40 minutes for the more heavily weighted Task 2.
You must write at least 150 words. Writing significantly less will result in a penalty for your Task Achievement score.
No. Task 1 (Academic) is an objective summary of data. You should never include personal opinions or external information not shown in the chart.
Standard structure: Introduction (paraphrase), Overview (state main trends), and 2-3 Detail paragraphs (describe specific data points).
The most common types are Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Tables, Process Diagrams, and Maps.
Yes. Without a clear overview highlighting the main features or trends, it is impossible to score Band 7 or higher in Task Achievement.
It is generally better to use formal, passive voice and avoid personal pronouns like 'I' or 'me'.
Varying your language with phrases like 'a significant majority' or 'roughly a quarter' demonstrates a higher lexical resource for Band 7+.