A public park when it first opened in 1920 and the same park today - Task 1 Map Band 9 Sample Report

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The plans below show a public park when it first opened in 1920 and the same park today.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

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Model Answer 1 (Band 9)

The provided diagrams offer a comparative visual representation of Grange Park, delineating its original design when it first greeted the public in 1920, juxtaposed against its contemporary layout.

The most conspicuous changes to the park over the century include the replacement of the fountain with a stage for musicians and a rose garden with a café. Additionally, the modern adaptation showcases the introduction of a children's play area and a water feature, in contrast to the more adult-centric amenities such as the stage for musicians and the pond for water plants that were present in the past.

Initially, the park's design was anchored by a central fountain, flanked by parallel rose gardens that provided a mirrored effect from the main entrance on Arnold Avenue. At each far end, the gardens were bookended by a stage for musicians and a glasshouse, respectively, illustrating the leisure pursuits of the era. Seats dotted the perimeter of the park, suggesting a layout conducive to passive recreation and contemplation.

In stark contrast, today's layout is oriented towards active engagement and family activities. The amphitheater for concerts, situated where the stage for musicians once stood, and the café replacing a rose garden indicate a shift towards social and cultural dynamism. The addition of a children's play area and a distinct water feature on Eldon Street, coupled with the underground car park facility, reflect modern lifestyle necessities and the evolution of urban leisure spaces.

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Model Answer 2 (Band 8.5)

The maps presented illustrate the transformation of Grange Park from its inception in 1920 to its current state. It is evident that the park has undergone significant modifications, reflecting changes in recreational needs and urban design over the past century.

Initially, in 1920, Grange Park was characterized by its symmetrical layout, with two rose gardens positioned on either side of a central axis emanating from the main entrance on Arnold Avenue. This axis led to a central fountain, a quintessential feature of public parks when they first opened in the early 20th century, and further extended to a glasshouse on the opposite end. The periphery was marked by seats for visitors to rest and enjoy the surroundings, and a stage for musicians was also a notable feature, indicative of the era's cultural engagement.

Fast forward to the present day, Grange Park has adapted to contemporary recreational demands. The rose gardens have been retained, symbolizing a bridge between the past and present. However, the stage for musicians has been replaced with an amphitheater for concerts, demonstrating a shift towards more active forms of entertainment. The glasshouse has given way to a water feature, suggesting a change in visitor amenities. Additionally, a children’s play area and a water feature have been introduced, which were not present in the original design. The entrance on Eldon Street now leads to an underground car park, a nod to the increased significance of automobile use.

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Model Answer 3 (Band 8)

The pictures illustrate the changes which have taken place in the public park, Grange Park, since it opened in 1920 to the present day.

Overall, apart from the two entrances, the whole park has gone through a drastic change over the period. Previously, it was a place predominantly of greenery and tranquillity, which is now replaced with some concrete structures and a chaotic atmosphere.

Looking at the west part of the given pictures, a small rose garden in the northwest corner has remained the same, while in the middle, a stage for musicians has been substituted with a large amphitheatre for concerts. Furthermore, there were four rows of seats, two of them have been placed on the extreme west side, while of the other two, one at the north and the other one at the south left, have been removed. Another small rose garden on the southeast corner of the original map has also been eliminated.

On the other hand, the two entrances at the north and the south in the middle have remained unchanged, while a large square rose garden with four rows of seats around it has replaced a fountain. On the east side, a small rose garden has been substituted with a café, and where there was a pond for water plants in the northeast corner, there is now a children’s play area. In place of a glasshouse, in the southeast corner, a water feature has been constructed, while a row of seats on the east side has been removed. A new underground car parking, with the entrance leading to the water feature, has been built. Finally, the most relevant changes have taken place on the west part of the map, where in place of a fountain, a large amphitheatre has been built, though the two park entrances have remained the same.

Model Answer 4 (Band 7)

The pictures illustrate the main changes which have taken place in a public park from 1920 to the present day.

Overall, except the entrances, the park has gone through a drastic change over the period. Previously, the park was full of greenery with gardens and a pond along with available seating zones, which are now replaced with some concrete structures like a concert building, an artificial water feature etc.

Previously in 1920, there were two rose gardens in both sides of the north entrance, while the south entrance was in between a glasshouse and a rose garden. A fountain was at the centre of the park, and the stage for musicians was on its west side. There were five seating spots across the park, and a pond for water plants was there in the park’s northeast corner.

At present, the fountain is replaced by a rose garden surrounded by seating facilities. A café beside the north entrance is built in place of what was once a rose garden. The pond for water plants is converted to a children's playground near the rose garden. The glasshouse structure is replaced with a water feature on the southeast corner. An amphitheatre for concerts is built on the west wing, replacing the stage for musicians. Also, an entrance of underground car park is added near the water feature.

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