ANALYZE MAPS - SIMON

The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourist facilities. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The diagrams illustrate some changes to a small island which has been developed for tourism.

It is clear that the island has changed considerably with the introduction of tourism, and six new features can be seen in the second diagram. The main developments are that the island is accessible and visitors have somewhere to stay.

Looking at the maps in more detail, we can see that small huts have been built to accommodate visitors to the island. The other physical structures that have been added are a reception building, in the middle of the island, and a restaurant to the north of the reception. Before these developments, the island was completely bare apart from a few trees.

As well as the buildings mentioned above, the new facilities on the island include a pier, where boats can dock. There is also a short road linking the pier with the reception and restaurant, and footpaths connect the huts. Finally, there is a designated swimming area for tourists off a beach on the western tip of the island.
(175 words, band 9)

Range of verb tenses, and use of both active and passive:

-         has been developed, have been built

-          has changed

-          can be seen

-          is, are, include

-          was

Phrases and collocations that would impress the examiner:

- with the introduction of tourism
- new features
- main developments
- the island is accessible
- small huts*
- to accommodate visitors
- physical structures
- in the middle of, to the north of
- completely bare apart from
- where boats can dock*
- a designated swimming area
- the western tip* of the island

*huts, dock and tip might be the words that most impress the examiner in this essay. Can you think why? Does this surprise you?