University Campus Changes Since 1990

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 university campus in 1990 and today.
2. Overview: the sports field was replaced by housing and the car park by leisure facilities, while the library, hall, lake, gate, river and road stayed the same.
3. Body 1: the north-west, where the sports field became a housing area.
4. Body 2: the east, where the car park was replaced by a gym, a garden and a cafe.

Key features to spot

• The sports field in the north-west, beside the river, was replaced by a cluster of houses.
• The car park to the east of the hall was replaced by three new facilities: a gym, a garden and a cafe.
• The cafe is in the south-east of the site, with outdoor tables near the gate and the road.
• The library, hall and gate stayed in the same positions, so the core of the campus was unchanged.
• The lake and the river also remained unchanged, while the housing and new leisure facilities were the main additions.

Useful vocabulary

• the sports field once stood: The housing now covers the area where the sports field once stood.
• was replaced by: The car park was replaced by a gym, a garden and a cafe.
• a cluster of houses: A cluster of houses was built in the north-west.
• to the east of the hall: The gym is located to the east of the hall.
• outdoor seating area: The cafe has an outdoor seating area.
• remained in the same position: The library remained in the same position throughout.
• were added: Three new facilities were added in the eastern part of the campus.
• in place of: The garden was created in place of part of the car park.
• the core of the campus: The core of the campus, the library and hall, was unchanged.
• beside the river: The housing lies beside the river on the northern edge of the site.

Common mistakes

• Confusing the sports field with the lake. The sports field was in the north-west and the lake in the north-east.
• Saying the car park was replaced only by a gym. The gym, garden and cafe all replaced it.
• Writing house instead of housing for the group of buildings, or failing to mention the cluster.
• Describing the campus as modernised or improved. These are opinions, which the task does not permit.
• Omitting the lake, which is one of the features that stayed the same.

Examiner tip: Describe the two main changes in separate paragraphs by location, north-west for housing and east for leisure facilities, then mention the features that stayed the same.