IELTS WRITING TASK 1
MAPS 01
Main Contents
1. Types of Map Questions
2. Writing the Introduction
3. Writing the Overview
4. Grammar and Vocabulary for Describing Maps
5. Sample Task and Model Answer
1. TYPES OF MAP QUESTIONS
⚫ Maps in Writing Task 1 often shows you the
development of an area and you have to describe
its main changes over time.
⚫ Generally, there are 2 types of maps in the IELTS
test
✓ Diachronic maps: 2 maps of the same place but
in different times (i.e. 1940, 2010)
✓ Synchronic maps (less common): 1 single map
and we have to describe two locations/ sites on
them or even compare them
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Diachronic maps
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Synchronic maps
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ESSAY STRUCTURE
⚫ Paragraph 1 - The Introduction
State what the map(s) show(s)
⚫ Paragraph 2 – The Overview
Write about the most noticeable differences between
the two maps/ over the time period
⚫ 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 together in paragraph 3 and 4
by time or location, depending on the question asked.)
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2. WRITING THE INTRODUCTION
Useful Structures
⚫ The maps show/compare/illustrate + the changes/
growth/ developments which took place in
(name of the town) over a period from … to
…/between …and…)
⚫ The maps show/compares/illustrate + how (name
of the town) has changed/ transformed/
developed from … to..
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3. WRITING THE OVERVIEW
Choosing the information:
You need to figure out the general change of the place.
⚫ 1st sentence: more
shopping and
transport facilities
=> become a much
more modern city
today
⚫ 2nd sentence (an
interesting
change): new
tramline
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3. WRITING THE OVERVIEW
⚫ 1st sentence:
it is clear from the diagram
Overall, / the most significant change in the that
In general, graph is …..
what stands out from the graph
⚫ 2nd sentence:
Another / One interesting change is that....
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In general, the most significant change in the graph is that Castellon
has become a much more modern city, with far more shopping and
transport facilities. One interesting change is that a new tram line
has been built, to connect the university with the town center.
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4. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY FOR MAPS
Verb Tense and Passive Voice
Maps comparing 2 periods of time in the past (e.g.
1995) and now:
● Use the present perfect passive to describe the
changes in the present.
● Use the simple past passive to illustrate features in
the past.
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4. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY FOR MAPS
Verb Tense and Passive Voice
Maps comparing two periods of time in the past
(e.g. 1990 and 2005):
• Use the simple past passive to describe the
change in 2005.
• Use the past perfect passive to illustrate the
features in 1990.
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4. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY FOR MAPS
Describing Major Changes
⚫ The town has become more/less residential in the
year…compared to ….
⚫ Some of the changes are negligible but ……(a change)… is
dramatic over these years.
⚫ (Place A) experienced a number of noticeable changes. The
greatest is that….
⚫ The most noticeable difference between place A and B is …X…
⚫ The biggest change occurred to the north of (place A).
⚫ …X…has experienced a transformation since more ….X… is
constructed in the area.
⚫ (Place A) has undergone considerable changes in ….X…. and
….Y….
⚫ The (place A) was a much greener residential area with a large
number of trees and individual houses.
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4. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY FOR MAPS
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4. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY FOR MAPS
Examples
⚫ The offices were demolished and the surrounding area was
redeveloped with a new leisure center opening up.
⚫ The shopping center was extended and the parking area was
enlarged to accommodate more cars.
⚫ The tree were cut down and a new office block was erected.
⚫ A railway was constructed with the introduction of a new
train station.
⚫ The industrial area was modernized and made bigger with lots
of new factories being built.
⚫ The local government had the sports facilities renovated and
the small park was made into a children’s playground.
⚫ The park was replaced with a new housing complex.
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4. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY FOR MAPS
Vocabulary for Showing Location
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4. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY FOR MAPS
Examples
⚫ The trees to the north of the river were cut down and a
new office block was built.
⚫ A railway was constructed to the east of the housing
estate with the introduction of a new train station.
⚫ The forest to the west of the park was cut down and a
new housing complex was constructed.
⚫ The industrial area to the south-west of the station was
expanded.
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4. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY FOR MAPS
Other Useful Vocabulary
⚫ Housing/Residential area: an area that has lots of houses
and some schools.
⚫ Industrial area: an area that has lots of factories
⚫ Commercial area: an area that has lots of stores
⚫ Skyscraper: very tall buildings
⚫ Warehouse: a building where things are kept until they
are sold.
⚫ Woodland: an area with lots of trees
⚫ Intersection/Junction: the point where several streets
meet.
⚫ Recreation: an activity that is exciting, stimulating or
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5. SAMPLE ANALYSIS
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