Video summary

how to describe a walk around a park - ielts academic writing task 1 map

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas / lesson goals

The video teaches how to write IELTS Academic Task 1 (map) descriptions of a walk around a park, focusing on:

  • Direction language (use right/left rather than compass points)
  • A clear paragraph plan, covering:
    • entrances → changes in the right/center → changes on the left → overview + introduction paraphrase
  • Accuracy requirements, e.g., don’t use vague vertical terms like top/bottom unless the map confirms flat ground
  • Verb choice for changes (avoid verbs that imply details the map doesn’t show)
  • Sentence structures for describing replacements and locations
  • Good reference points to keep writing precise
  • Appropriate overview wording (e.g., natural features replaced by modern facilities)

Key methodology / structure for IELTS Task 1 description

1) Direction words: use right/left, not compass directions (unless a compass is present)

Prefer describing locations using “right” and “left” because:

  • Some IELTS map questions omit a compass intentionally
  • Listening tasks use corresponding language like “on your right” and “facing you”, not north/east.

If a compass is present, compass terms may be used—however, the main advice is to choose the option that helps you score higher.

2) Determine your starting point first: identify where you enter

Before using right/left, the writer must state where the observer is.

Since the park has three entrances, the suggested structure is:

  • Details Paragraph 1: describe the three entrances
  • Details Paragraph 2: describe changes to the central and right parts
  • Details Paragraph 3: describe changes to the left side

3) How to write about the entrances (example logic)

  • Two entrances remain the same:
    • entrances on Arnold Avenue and Eldon Street are unchanged.
  • The third entrance is more complex because it relates to a car park:
    • Don’t state “on the right side of the park” until you define the viewpoint.
    • Use Eldon Street as the reference point.

The advice includes a viewpoint-dependent interpretation:

  • From Eldon Street, the car park entrance is immediately to the right.
  • From Arnold Avenue, the same area appears on the left.

Grammar/style note: avoid overly long sentences; concise wording is preferred.

Example shorter phrasing:

“A right-side entrance from Eldon Street was constructed for car park users.”

4) Details Paragraph 2 (center/right): replacement descriptions + location accuracy

Start by stating the entrance you enter from (e.g., Eldon Street).

Center feature example:

  • Former central feature: fountain
  • New central feature: rose garden surrounded by seats

For the water feature:

  • Use a reference point rather than vertical language (top/bottom/lower/higher), since you can’t assume slope/flatness.
  • Suggested approach:

“To the right of the Eldon Street entrance, a water feature has been added…”

Verb-choice guidance for “what happened”:

Avoid verbs that imply specific causes or construction stages not confirmed by the map, such as:

  • knock down
  • tear down

Also avoid ambiguous change verbs, such as:

  • turn
  • convert
  • transform

Preferred replacement-focused verbs/phrases:

  • replace
  • give way to
  • give place to
  • take the place of

Grouping idea: don’t describe every feature one by one if you can combine them.

Example:

“A café and children’s play area now occupy the space where the rose garden and water plants’ pond used to be.”

Sentence-structure emphasis: use which/where clauses to clarify what replaced what.

5) Details Paragraph 3 (left): using “previously” + contrast markers

Use change signals:

  • previously (old situation)
  • now (new situation)

Example logic:

  • Left side previously had a stage for musicians
  • Now features an amphitheater

To determine remaining features, use the second map to infer what’s unchanged vs changed.

Reference point suggestion: when describing the rose garden relative to the amphitheater, use a clearly stated location such as Arnold Avenue.

Avoid vertical terms (above/top/lower/bottom) unless the map guarantees that geometry.

6) Overview paragraph: generalize replacements + improvement + correct terminology

The overview summarizes what changed overall.

Categorize changes:

  • Removed/disappeared items → “natural features”
  • Added items → “modern facilities”

Vocabulary notes:

  • Don’t use “up-to-date facilities” (speaker discourages this).
  • Include a second sentence about general improvement, e.g.:

“The updates have improved the park’s accessibility and functionality.”

Repetition control: avoid repeating modern/modernized too often.

Wording about updates:

  • Use “update” for man-made layouts, e.g.:

“The park layout has been updated to include modern facilities…”

Speaker notes:

  • Prefer “park layout” (not “updating the park itself”)
  • Use “the park layout” (grammar/idiom note)

7) Introduction paragraph: paraphrase the prompt accurately

Paraphrase the original prompt with small controlled changes:

  • The park is called Grange Park
  • Initially opened in 1920
  • Then describe how it looks now

Specific tips:

  • Replace “first” with “initially”
  • Use a “how…” clause for the description

Final “how to describe changes” checklist (instruction-style)

  1. If you can’t tell how an old feature disappeared, avoid implying demolition or conversion. Avoid:

    • knock down
    • tear down
    • turn into
    • convert into
    • transform into

Use replacement-focused alternatives:

  - “X has been replaced by Y”
  - “X has given way to Y”
  - “X has given place to Y”
  - “Y has taken the place of X”

  1. Use “previously/previous” for old states. Example: “X previously housed Y…”

  2. Use common sentence constructions to show replacement and location, such as:

    • Which clause
      • “The central feature used to be a fountain, which has now been replaced by a rose garden.”
      • “The park’s left side, which previously housed a stage for musicians, now features an amphitheater…”
    • Where clause
      • “A café and children’s play area now occupy the space where the rose garden and water plants’ pond used to be.”
    • Participle clause
      • “To the right of the Eldon Street entrance, a water feature has been added, taking the place of the previous glasshouse and seating area.”

  3. Choose a good reference point for relative positions (e.g., describe the water feature relative to Eldon Street, then use another stated location for the rose garden).

  4. Group features where possible to reduce unnecessary over-detail.

Speakers / sources featured

  • Lilie (the video presenter/instructor)
  • Cambridge IELTS sources referenced (as topic context):
    • Cambridge IELTS 14
    • Cambridge IELTS 16 (listening tasks/maps mentioned)

Original video