IELTS BOT

IELTS Writing Task 1: Maps

Map questions are about change, not location. The most common failure is an answer that carefully describes where everything sits and never says what happened to it — and the second most common is forgetting that nearly every sentence needs the passive.

What the question looks like

Two or more maps of the same place at different dates, or a current map beside a proposed development. Check the dates first: they decide your tenses.

The instruction line is the same on every Academic Task 1 question: Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. You have about 20 minutes and need at least 150 words.

The overview sentence

Characterise the change in a single sentence — did the place become more developed, more residential, larger? Then note anything that stayed the same.

Overall, the village changed from a largely rural settlement into a developed residential area, with farmland giving way to housing, although the main road through the centre remained in place.
An overview for a map question — note that it contains no figures.

How to structure the answer

  1. 1

    Introduction

    Paraphrase the prompt, naming the place and both dates.

  2. 2

    Overview

    The overall character of the change, plus anything that did not change.

  3. 3

    Body 1

    The changes in one part of the map, located with compass directions.

  4. 4

    Body 2

    The changes in the remaining part, compared with how it was before.

Language for maps

Lexical Resource is a quarter of your Task 1 mark. These are the phrases this question type actually calls for.

The passive, for change
was builtwas demolishedwas replaced bywas converted intowere cleared
Compass directions
in the north-eastto the south ofalong the western edgein the centre
Position
adjacent tooppositesurrounded byon the outskirts
Appearing and disappearing
a new X was constructedthe woodland was removedX made way for Y
For proposed maps
is set to be builtwill be replaced byis due to be converted

Mistakes that cost marks

Describing position instead of change.
Every body sentence should contain a change verb, not just a location.
Using the active voice — 'they built a car park'.
You do not know who built it. Write 'a car park was built'.
Leaving out compass directions.
They are the easiest cohesion marks on this question type, and examiners look for them.
Using the past tense for a proposed development.
Plans take future forms. Only completed change takes the past simple.
Describing map one in full, then map two in full.
Compare feature by feature so the change is visible in each sentence.

Maps: sample questions

Real map questions in the exam format. Give yourself 20 minutes and 150 words for each.

Maps showing changes in Meadowside village and the neighbouring town of Fonton since 1962

The maps show the changes that have taken place in Meadowside village and Fonton, a neighbouring town, since 1962.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Diagrams showing changes at Queen Mary Hospital since its construction in 1960

The diagrams below show the changes that have taken place at Queen Mary Hospital since its construction in 1960.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Find out what your answer would score

Reading about maps only takes you so far. Paste an answer in and get a band for Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range, with the corrections that would raise it.