School Site Expansion 2005 to 2025

The question

How to approach this map question

A map question shows a place at two points in time (or two plans). Describe what changed, what stayed the same, and where, using direction and location language.

1. Say what the maps show and the two time points in your own words.
2. Overview: the main kind of change (for example more building, less green space) and one thing that stays.
3. Describe changes area by area (north, south, centre) with verbs such as was replaced by, was converted into, was built.
4. Use precise location phrases: to the east of, next to, opposite, in the north-west corner.

How to plan this answer

Structure

1. Introduction: paraphrase the maps. The primary school site in 2005 and 2025.
2. Overview: the school site was developed with a new library and a gym, and the car park was enlarged, while the field, playground, entrance, road and river stayed the same.
3. Body 1: the buildings, where a new library was built beside the classrooms and the garden was replaced by a gym.
4. Body 2: the car park, which was enlarged, plus the features that remained unchanged.

Key features to spot

• A new library was built beside the classrooms, on the western side of the school buildings.
• The garden in the south-east, near the entrance, was replaced by a gym.
• The car park on the western side of the site was enlarged, providing more parking spaces.
• The large field at the top of the site, the playground and the entrance remained unchanged.
• The road and river along the southern edge of the site were also unchanged.

Useful vocabulary

• was built beside: A new library was built beside the classrooms.
• was replaced by: The garden was replaced by a gym.
• was enlarged: The car park was enlarged to provide more spaces.
• remained unchanged: The playground remained unchanged throughout the period.
• to the south-east of: The gym is to the south-east of the classrooms.
• the field at the top of the site: The field at the top of the site was not altered.
• the most notable addition: The most notable addition is the new library.
• the site was expanded: Overall, the site was expanded with two new buildings.
• located near the entrance: The gym is located near the entrance.
• in the same location: The playground is in the same location as in 2005.

Common mistakes

• Saying the library replaced the classrooms. The classrooms remained, and the library was added beside them.
• Describing the playground as moved. It stayed in the same place.
• Stating that the field was reduced or changed. It remained the same size and position.
• Saying the garden was replaced by the car park. The car park was enlarged; the garden became a gym.
• Giving only a general statement that the school expanded, without naming the new library and gym.

Examiner tip: Group the changes into buildings and car park, then close with the unchanged features, which give the reader a clear picture of what the school kept.