Unit 2.

1:
Places & Buildings
Reading &
Writing
Table of contents

01
Reading: Sentence completion

02
Writing Task 1: Describe a map
 01
Reading
Sentence completion
questions
Outcomes

Recognize and understand the question

format
Pay attention to some notes
Learn strategies and tips
Sentence completion question: Introduction

What to know?

- In this kind of question, ideas from the passage are rewritten in short
sentences and there are gaps for you to fill (usually at the end of the
sentence), which you must complete with words from the text.
- Such questions test your ability to find detail/specific information in a
text.
- The answers follow the order of the text.
Sentence completion question: Notes

What to pay attention to?

- You may write your own words to answer instead of exact words from
the passage.
- You might exceed the word limit while answering the questions.
- Words can be misspelt while copying from the text.
- Make sure the word you write in the blank matches grammatically.
Sentence completion question: Strategies & Tips

How to deal with this type of task?

1. Read the instruction carefully.

2. Read the questions and highlight keywords. Identify the part of speech
(nouns, verbs, adjective, etc.) of the missing words.
3. Scan the text for the keywords or words that mean something similar and
locate the part of text containing the answer.
4. Read the sentences near the keywords carefully to find correct answers.
5. Check the grammar of the completed sentences.
Sentence completion question: Practice
Sentence completion question: Step 1

- The maximum number of words used in an answer

is 3.
- The answers must be the exact words from the
text.
Sentence completion question: Step 2

noun/ noun
phrase adjective
noun/ noun
phrase
noun
singular noun
verb phrase
Sentence completion question: Step 3

Question
4
Question
1 Question
5

Question
Question 6
2

Question
3
Sentence completion question: Step 4,5

roast chicken
home and
her parents sad

Ping and Pong

forest
feel at home
 02
Writing Task 1
Describe a map
Outcomes

Recognize a map
Understand steps to do
Learn strategies and tips
Writing Task 1: Describe a map

What do you need to know?

● This type of task often shows you a plan of a place in two time
periods, and you have to describe the main changes between the two
periods.
● The most common time periods are between:
- a time in the past and now
- two times in the past
● You must write at least 150 words.
Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Step to do

How to do this task?

- You should spend 20 minutes for Task 1.

- Divide the time as follows:
+ Step 1: Plan - 5 mins
+ Step 2: Write - 12 mins
+ Step 3: Revise - 3 mins
Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Steps to do

Step 1 (5 mins): Planning makes sure you include all the necessary
information

- Determine the topic: Find the topic by reading the title of the map and
the description in the task.
- Make notes about details: Determine the differences between the
before and after pictures. Use arrows showing direction of movement,
entering or exiting, etc. to help you.
Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Steps to do

Step 2 (12 mins): Use your notes in the first step to write your essay

- Write the introduction to tell what type of data it is:

+ Write the Topic Sentence to tells what the map is about. Do not
copy the title and task exactly. Use synonyms.
+ Write a General Statement to tell something about the data itself
without going into detail. In case of a plan, mention the overall
effect of the changes.
- Write the body of the essay: Based on your previous notes, you can
identify the changes between two maps. Now turn these notes into
sentences for the body of your essay.
Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Steps to do

Step 2 (12 mins): Useful Grammar - Past simple: Active and Passive

Active form Passive form

S + V-ed/Vpt + O S + was/were + Vpp
They cleaned this room This room was cleaned
yesterday. yesterday.
Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Steps to do

Step 2 (12 mins): Useful Grammar - Past simple: Active and Passive

passive
active
active
passive

Trees were planted in the recreation area.

The bus stop was moved.
A new main reception was built.
Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Steps to do

Step 2 (12 mins): Useful Vocabulary - Verbs for the description of maps
Items Buildings & Amenities (bridge, Trees/Forest
Expression park, etc.)

Make bigger extend, expand, develop, widen

Take away demolish, knock down, flatten, pull cut down, chop down, clear (to
down make way for)

Add something build, construct, erect, introduce, plant, create

open up, set up, establish

Change into something else convert, transform, replace, make turn into, replace
into, redevelop, turn into

General expression about industrialize, modernize, transform, urbanize

changes
Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Steps to do

Step 2 (12 mins): Useful Vocabulary - Noun phrases for the description
of maps Verb Noun

demolish demolition
construct construction
expand expansion
convert conversion
replace replacement
disappear disappearance
build building
….
Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Steps to do

Step 2 (12 mins): Useful Vocabulary - Noun phrases for the description
of maps

expansion
conversio
n
modernization

introduction

building
Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Steps to do

Step 2 (12 mins): Useful Vocabulary - Prepositions of place

Location
on on the right
in on the left
next to on the other side
beside in the middle
in front of across from
behind opposite
between in the top right-hand
…. corner
Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Steps to do

Step 2 (12 mins): Useful Vocabulary - Prepositions of place

Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Steps to do

Step 2 (12 mins): Useful Vocabulary - Prepositions of place

next to
of
betwee
n
opposit
e on
in
to/on
of
Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Steps to do

Step 2 (12 mins): Useful Vocabulary - Prepositions of place

are on the left side of the

campus the Founder’s Building
are opposite
is in the top right-hand corner
is next to the laboratories
are in front of the Scott Library
is between the gym and the bus stop
Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Steps to do

Step 3 (3 mins):
Revise to make sure that:
- your essay is clear and well-organized
- you have used correct grammar and spelling
Use this revision checklist to help you practice
revising.
Writing Task 1: Describe a map - Practice
Describe a map: Practice - Step 1
Determine the topic:
- Title: Colwick Arts Centre
- Description: changes to Colwick Arts Centre between 2005 and today

Make notes about details:

In 2005
- empty area of land outside the Centre
- two galleries / one meeting room
- concert hall and cinema in the same place
Today
- trees planted on this outside land
- construction of an outdoor exhibition area,
central exhibition and drama studio
- one gallery / two meeting rooms
- separate concert hall and cinema
- movement of toilets , café
Describe a map: Practice - Step 2
Write the Introduction

- Topic Sentence: The maps show the changes to Colwick Arts Centre between 2005 and the present
day.
- General Statement: We can see that the Centre expanded and new facilities were added during this
period.

Write the body

One of the major changes is that the outside area was developed. In 2005 there was an empty area of land
outside the Centre. Trees were planted there and an outdoor exhibition area was made. The café was
moved to the front of the Arts Centre and tables were added outside.

Inside, a central exhibition area was created. The information desk was moved to the front of the central
area. In the past, there were two galleries but now there is only one; however, a drama studio was built. In
2005 the concert hall and cinema were in the same space, whereas now they are seperate. In addition, an
extra meeting room was constructed. The toilets moved to the opposite side of the Centre.

So, it is clear that Colwick Arts Centre is more attractive today and has better facilities than in 2005.
Preparation for the next class
A. HOMEWORK
Do the exercise [IELTS 6.] - Mindset 1: Unit 2.1 - Reading & Writing.

B. LISTENING
Do exercises on pages 35-38 of Mindset 1 Student’s book.

C. SPEAKING
Do exercises on pages 39-43 of Mindset 1 Student’s book.
Prepare notes to answer the following questions:
1. Can you describe the town where you grew up?
2. What places of interest are there in your hometown? Where are they?
3. Is it a good place for young people? Why?
4. Where do young people in your town meet their friends?
5. What is your town like at night?
6. How has your town changed in the last 10 years?
7. Have any new buildings been built?
8. A long time ago, where did people from your town used to work?
Thanks!