Introduction
This guide on IELTS Writing Task 1 maps questions will
cover:
o Different kinds of map question
o Structure
o Describing specific changes
o Describing general changes
o Describing locations
o Sample answer
You will also be able to learn some new vocabulary that will
help you deal with any Task 1 maps question.
In the IELTS writing test, you might be asked to describe a
map in task 1. This type of question is becoming
increasingly popular- in fact, it was on the exam last
weekend here in Vietnam- and in my opinion, the easiest
one to score high marks in if you’re prepared.
Many students, books and teachers overlook this type of
question, and it is, therefore, a bit of a shock when one
comes up. Therefore, if you are prepared, you will probably
do better than most of the other students.
Different Kinds of Map Question
There are three main types of map questions:
1. Describe one map in the present day.
2. Describe two maps- one in the present and one in the
future.
3. Describe two maps- one in the past and one in the
present.
The first kind is very rare, as it only requires you to use the
present simple, and no comparisons can be made.
The second kind occasionally comes up and requires you to
use present and future tenses. This kind of question is
normally about the future development of a town or city. It
requires the same vocabulary as the other two.
The third is the most common and will be the main focus of
this post.
You will normally be shown two maps, as above and asked
to select and report the main features and make
comparisons where relevant. You will obviously use both
present and past tenses to describe the maps and how the
town has developed.
Also, as this is a man-made process, we will use the
passive.
Source: Cambridge English Practice Papers.
Structure
To describe two maps, I advise my students to follow a
four-paragraph structure.
Paragraph 1- Paraphrase Sentence
Paraphrase question using synonyms.
Paragraph 2- Overview
Make two general statements about the map. You should
describe the maps generally and write about the most
noticeable differences between the two maps. You could
ask yourself the following questions to identify general
changes. Is the map more or less residential? Is there more
or less countryside? Are there more or fewer trees? Were
the changes dramatic or negligible? Were there any major
infrastructure improvements? How have the buildings and
leisure facilities changed?
Paragraph 3- Main Body 1
Three to four sentences about specific changes that have
occurred.
Paragraph 4- Main Body 2
Further, three to four sentences about specific changes
that have occurred.
You can group information in paragraphs 3 and 4 by time or
location, depending on the question asked.
Look at the sample answer below to see how I have used
this structure.
How to Describe Specific Changes
The ability to describe change is crucial to answering these
questions. The various buildings and features will normally
be labelled for you. You need to work on how to write about
how they have changed from the past up until the present
day.
Tip: You may be asked to describe your hometown in
the speaking test. The vocabulary and grammar in this
post should come in very useful.
Below I will list various buildings, features, and verbs we
could use to describe their change.
Buildings– demolished, knocked down, flattened, replaced,
renovated, built, constructed, reconstructed, developed,
extended, expanded, relocated, converted and modernized.
Examples:
The government demolished the industrial estate
and developed a sports ground.
They removed the shops and replaced them with a
skyscraper.
A port was constructed at the edge of the river.
The factory in the city centre
was demolished and relocated to the city’s north.
The old warehouses were replaced with new hotels.
The factory was converted into apartments.
Trees and Forests- cleared, cut down, chopped down,
removed, planted.
Examples:
The forest was cut down and replaced with a shopping
centre.
The trees were cleared to make way for houses.
Roads, bridges and railways lines- constructed, built,
extended, expanded and removed.
The main road was extended, and a new bridge
was built over the river.
Leisure facilities- opened, set up, developed.
Examples:
A skate park was set up next to the swimming pool.
A park was developed beside the forest.
How to Describe General Changes
As this is an IELTS writing task 1 question, we must write an
overview, where we generally talk about the main changes
between the two maps.
Below are some examples of general statements we could
use to describe change in towns and cities.
1. Over the period, the area witnessed dramatic changes.
2. From 1995 to 2005, the city centre saw spectacular
developments.
3. The village changed considerably over the period.
4. During the 10-year period, the industrial area was
totally transformed.
5. Over the past 20 years, the residential area was totally
reconstructed.
6. Over the period, the old docks were totally
redeveloped.
7. Between 1995 and 2005, the old houses were rebuilt.
8. The central business district was completely
modernised during the period.
Pick two or three of the most noticeable differences in the
map and write a general statement for each. This will be
your overview paragraph.
The more specific changes should be included in your main
body paragraphs.
How to Describe Locations
You will also be expected to describe where things are
maps and describe where changes have occurred.
You can use ‘to the left’ and ‘to the right’, but a better way
is to use ‘north’, ‘south’, ‘east’ and ‘west’. I normally advise
my students to draw the symbols on the question paper if
they are not already there.
Examples:
The forest to the south of the river was cut down.
A golf course was constructed to the north of the airport.
The houses in the southwest of the town were
demolished.
The green fields to the city’s northwest were redeveloped
as a park.
The airport in the city’s centre was relocated to
the northeast of the river.
The school to the southeast was knocked down and a new
one was built to the east of the forest.
Finally, you will also be expected to use prepositions of
place, e.g. at/in/on/by/beside/to/off/from, to describe where
things are.
