Unit 1: Maps
The Plans Illustrate How Much a Theater Has Changed
(1) The plans illustrate how much a theater has changed between 2010 and 2012. It seems that the theater was expanded sideways to build more facilities.
Overall, a number of changes took place all over the layout of the building, (2) some of which involved the conversion and relocation of some features. The only exception was the center as it remained relatively unchanged.
In 2010, the theater could be entered from the main entrance to the South, through which (3) a cafe could be easily spotted in the right corner. A ticket office and administration office were situated opposite the cafe.
After 2 years, the ticket office, however, was relocated to (4) the bottom right corner where the cafe had been demolished, while the administration office was moved to the back. This was to make way for a new restaurant area in the left rear corner.
The old media room and storage room had been moved to the top left and right side respectively, both of which could now be accessed from the new hallway. (5) The space which used to be occupied by the media room (6) was reduced by two times so that the stage in front could be expanded. Finally, a new showers area had been built next to the media room. Lastly, no changes were made to the central auditorium.
The plans show the changes made to a small theatre in 2010 and 2012.
(Actual test, January 23, 2021)
Sample 1 – Analysis
- The plans illustrate how much a theater has changed
- Dịch nghĩa: Bản đồ cho thấy một nhà hát đã thay đổi như thế nào.
- Cách sử dụng: Mẫu câu dùng để viết mở bài. Lưu ý mệnh đề danh từ “how much + Noun + Verb” đứng sau “illustrate”. Dù bắt đầu bằng “how much”, mệnh đề này không phải câu hỏi nên động từ không đảo.
- Some of which involved the conversion and relocation of some features
- Dịch nghĩa: Vài sự thay đổi đó có liên quan đến việc chuyển đổi và chuyển vị trí của một số đặc điểm.
- Cấu trúc: “Some of which” là mệnh đề quan hệ rút gọn thay cho một phần của sự vật đã được nhắc trước đó.
- A number of changes took place all over the layout of the building, some of which involved the conversion and relocation of some existing features.
- (Cách viết khác của: “A number of changes took place all over the layout of the building. Some of them involved…”)
- A cafe could be easily spotted in the right corner
- Dịch nghĩa: Một tiệm cafe có thể được dễ dàng nhận ra ở góc phải.
- Cách sử dụng: “Spot” dùng để miêu tả vị trí của một vật có thể nhìn thấy, không nhất thiết là nổi bật.
- A new hall could be easily spotted in place of the old media room.
- In the right corner, a cafe was clearly visible.
- The bottom right corner where the cafe had been demolished
- Dịch nghĩa: Ở góc dưới bên phải, nơi quán cafe đã bị dỡ bỏ.
- Cách sử dụng: “Where” dùng trong mệnh đề quan hệ chỉ địa điểm.
- The space which used to be occupied by the media room
- Dịch nghĩa: Không gian từng được sử dụng cho phòng truyền thông.
- Cấu trúc: “A + occupy + B”: A chiếm dụng/sử dụng B.
- Ví dụ: The space which used to be occupied by the cafe in 2005 has been taken up by the new gallery shop.
- Was reduced by two times
- Dịch nghĩa: Bị giảm xuống hai lần.
- Cách sử dụng: Dùng để nói về sự giảm kích thước.
- Ví dụ: The hall has been reduced two times in size to make room for a bathroom.
Exercise 1
The maps below show the changes in the art gallery ground floor in 2005 and the present day.
The maps illustrate how much the layout of an art gallery (1) has changed from 2005 to now.
Overall, a number of internal modifications have taken place all over the layout of the building, (2) some of which involve addition of several new rooms and facilities, and access for the disabled. The only exception was the eastern wall, which remained relatively unchanged.
In 2005, the gallery could be entered from the main entrance to the South, through which a line of three exhibition rooms (3) could be easily spotted in the right wall with exhibition room 4 to the other side. However, Exhibition room 4 has now been split into a children’s area, and a temporary exhibition room. The gallery office previously located behind Exhibition room 4 has now been removed and the space opened up to become a part of the entrance hall area.
Previously, the space which used to be (4) occupied by the cafe in 2005 has been taken up by the new gallery shop. A new vending machine facility has been placed outside the gallery shop (5) where the gallery used to be. The reception desk has been moved closer to the front of the entrance hall, and new disabled access facilities have been added, including a wheelchair ramp at the front of the building and a lift located next to the stairs.
Answers:
(1) has changed
(2) some of which involve
(3) could be easily spotted
(4) occupied by the cafe
(5) where the gallery used to be
Exercise 2
- The diagrams illustrate how much a student accommodation has changed from 2010 to the present.
- In general, the building has witnessed several changes all over its layout throughout the period, some of which involve the conversion and relocation of some features.
- In 2010, a large hall and a bathroom could easily be spotted in the southwest part of the student accommodation.
- A parking area has been added to the south where a garden used to be located.
- The space which used to be occupied by the hall was reduced by two times to make room for a bathroom.
Exercise 3
The maps give information about a university sports court.
(Actual test, April 24, 2021)
The maps indicate how much a sporting facility at a university has changed since 1990.
Overall, it is evident that the sports facility has undergone major changes, most of which involve the conversion and relocation of some features. The most noticeable modification is the construction of a new facility to the northwest of the court.
In 1990, there was a cafe in the southern area, and an outdoor swimming pool could easily be spotted due to the large space it occupied. Also, the reception and changing room were situated on the left-hand side of the pool at the time. No changes have been made to the reception but the changing room was expanded two times and now faces the pool. The outdoor pool has undergone a transformation to an indoor one. The building also has a new fitness center inside.
In order to make room for the new building, the tennis courts have been reconstructed and relocated to the place where the car park used to be. The park has also been demolished to construct a basketball court at the top left corner of the map.