A conference hall built in 1981 and planned for 2020
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Diagram

IELTS Writing Task 1 Question
The graph below shows a conference hall built in 1981 and planned for 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Common Questions for Diagram (Plan)
1. Graph Type: Diagram (Plan)
2. Title: Conference Hall Layout in 1985 and Proposed for 2020
3. What are the units of measurement? No specific units of measurement (visual changes in the layout)
4. Who: Conference hall layout (plans for 1985 and 2020)
5. When: 1985 and 2020
6. Where: Location unspecified (assumed to be the same for both plans)
7. Topic: Changes to the conference hall layout between 1985 and 2020
Comparison Showing and Trends Any change over time (such as an increase or a decrease) is a trend.
Comparison 1 : Reception and Small Hall
- Details:
- The reception, small hall, and two rooms remain in the same position in both plans.
Comparison 2 : Car Park and Gardens
- Details:
- In 1985, the car park and gardens were located on the northern side and southern side, respectively. By 2020, the car park is expanded, with part of the garden on the northern side being transformed into a new block for 20 rooms, and the remaining garden area on the eastern side converted into additional car parking.
Comparison 3 : New Additions for 2020
- Details:
- The 2020 plan proposes new rooms, including a block for 20 rooms on the northern side and an IT course room in the south-west. A canteen, kitchen, three meeting rooms, and a game room are also added.
Sample Answer
The given diagrams depict the layout of a conference hall in 1985 and the proposed changes for 2020.
Overall, the 2020 layout emphasizes functionality with the addition of new rooms and facilities, though many of these changes come at the expense of the garden space.
In the 1985 plan, the hall featured gardens on the eastern and southern sides, with a car park and rooms situated on the northern side. The reception was centrally located, and the entire southern side was dedicated to gardens. In contrast, the proposed 2020 plan introduces several changes. The car park and part of the northern garden will be replaced by a new block with 20 rooms. The remaining garden area on the east is also planned to become a car park.
Furthermore, new facilities are introduced in the 2020 plan, including an IT course room, a canteen, a kitchen, and three meeting rooms on the southern side. A game room is also added to the southern section of the hall.
Top 25 Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Meaning | Synonyms | Examples | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Depict | To show or represent by a drawing or description | Portray, Illustrate | The diagram depicts changes made to the hall layout. | Verb |
Layout | The way something is arranged or planned | Arrangement, Design | The layout of the hall changed significantly by 2020. | Noun |
Emphasize | To give special importance to something | Highlight, Stress | The 2020 plan emphasizes functionality. | Verb |
Functionality | The quality of being suited to serve a purpose | Usefulness, Efficiency | The new layout increases functionality. | Noun |
Facility | A place or piece of equipment provided for a purpose | Amenity, Service | The new hall includes modern facilities like a kitchen and IT room. | Noun |
Expense | The cost or sacrifice of something | Cost, Price | The expansion came at the expense of the garden. | Noun |
Reception | The area where guests are welcomed | Front desk, Lobby | The reception is centrally located. | Noun |
Canteen | A place where food is served | Cafeteria, Dining area | A new canteen is added in the 2020 layout. | Noun |
Garden | A piece of land used for growing flowers/plants | Yard, Park | The southern garden was replaced by meeting rooms. | Noun |
Car park | An area to park cars | Parking lot, Garage | The garden area was converted into a car park. | Noun |
Block | A section of a building | Unit, Section | A new block with 20 rooms was built. | Noun |
Room | An enclosed space inside a building | Chamber, Area | The new hall includes 20 rooms. | Noun |
Proposed | Suggested or planned in the future | Intended, Recommended | The proposed changes were scheduled for 2020. | Adjective |
Transformation | A complete or major change | Alteration, Conversion | The transformation of the hall was significant. | Noun |
Situated | Located in a specific place | Positioned, Placed | The reception was situated in the middle. | Verb |
Contrast | A clear difference between two things | Distinction, Variation | In contrast to 1985, the new layout has many more rooms. | Noun |
Southern | Relating to the south | Lower, Southward | The southern garden was removed. | Adjective |
Northern | Relating to the north | Upper, Northward | The northern side included a car park. | Adjective |
Introduce | To bring something new | Add, Implement | The new layout introduces an IT room. | Verb |
Replacement | The act of substituting one thing for another | Substitution, Change | The garden was removed to allow for room replacement. | Noun |
Expansion | The act of making something larger | Enlargement, Extension | The expansion included new meeting rooms. | Noun |
Dedicated | Set aside for a particular purpose | Reserved, Allocated | The area was dedicated to gardens in 1985. | Adjective |
Addition | Something that is added | Inclusion, Extra | The game room is a new addition. | Noun |
Central | Located in the middle | Middle, Center | The central reception remained unchanged. | Adjective |
Alter | To change or modify something | Adjust, Revise | The layout was altered for modern use. | Verb |

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