The maps below show a coal mining site before and after redevelopment.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Model Answer
The maps illustrate how a coal mine has been redeveloped into a tourist attraction.
Overall, the industrial mining area has experienced major changes in its layout, with the elimination of the waste tips and the addition of recreational facilities.
Looking at the initial layout of the coal extraction site, featuring a relatively simple layout, with the first waste tip 1 situated in the upper right-hand corner, while the waste tip 2 was positioned slightly below it. The lorry park was at the bottom of the map, with the car park on the left. Furthermore, the entrance to the underground working area occupied most of the upper part of the map, near which there was a medical room. Lastly, the office was situated towards the left, next to the staff changing room.
After the development, the site has changed significantly, becoming a more visitor-friendly area. One of the most noticeable modifications was the removal of the two waste tips, which made way for a children’s playground and a picnic area, located roughly in the centre of the right-hand side, and the digger driving track is located above it. While the car park and the entrance to the underground remained largely untouched, the office and the staff changing room were diminished, leading to the construction of the museum. The medical centre was converted into a cafe, whereas the lorry park was replaced by a souvenir shop. Notably, a new footpath has been constructed, connecting the souvenir shop and the cafe to the newly created recreational areas in the eastern part of the site.
Word Count: 260
Highlight Vocabulary
| 1. redeveloped /ˌriː.dɪˈvel.əpt/ | Meaning: rebuilt or improved for a new purpose → The coal mine was redeveloped into a tourist attraction. |
| 2. tourist attraction /ˈtʊə.rɪst əˌtræk.ʃən/ | Meaning: a place that people visit for interest or enjoyment |
| 3. industrial /ɪnˈdʌs.tri.əl/ | Meaning: related to industry, factories, or manufacturing |
| 4. layout /ˈleɪ.aʊt/ | Meaning: the arrangement or design of a place |
| 5. elimination /ɪˌlɪm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ | Meaning: the act of removing something completely |
| 6. recreational facilities | Meaning: places designed for leisure activities (e.g., playground, picnic area) |
| 7. positioned /pəˈzɪʃ.ənd/ | Meaning: placed or located in a particular position |
| 8. underground working area | Meaning: the area below the ground where mining activities occur |
| 9. visitor-friendly /ˈvɪz.ɪ.tər ˌfrend.li/ | Meaning: easy, comfortable, and enjoyable for visitors |
| 10. footpath /ˈfʊt.pɑːθ/ (UK) | /ˈfʊt.pæθ/ (US) | Meaning: A path or walkway designed for people to walk on, usually found beside roads or in parks. |
