IELTS Task 1: Island Before & After Tourism (Map)
The Task
The two maps below show an island before and after the construction of tourist facilities. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
Map comparison — key features
Before
- ▪Beach along the western shore
- ▪Dense trees covering most of the interior
- ▪No buildings or roads
After
- ▪Reception building added near the centre
- ▪Cluster of accommodation huts in the east (trees cleared)
- ▪Restaurant near the beach
- ▪Pier built off the western beach for boats
- ▪Swimming and water-sports areas marked offshore
- ▪Vehicle tracks linking reception to the pier
- ▪Western and southern areas remain wooded
Sample Band 8 Response
162 wordsModel answer written by EduForEveryone — for guidance only. Not an official examiner response.
The two maps show a small island before and after the construction of facilities for tourists.
Overall, the island was transformed from an undeveloped natural environment into a managed tourist resort, although some of the original woodland was retained.
Before development, the island was largely untouched. It featured a beach along its western shore and dense trees covering most of the interior, with no buildings or roads of any kind.
After development, a reception building was constructed near the centre of the island to serve as a focal point. This was connected by footpaths to a cluster of accommodation huts in the east, where some trees had been cleared, and to a restaurant built close to the beach. A pier was added off the western shore to allow access by boat, and swimming and water-sports areas were marked offshore. Vehicle tracks were laid to link the reception with the pier, while the western and southern parts of the island were left wooded.