IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Map questions (Lessons and questions included )
In your IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 preparation, you'll need to practice a total of 7 IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 data types. In this post, we'll look at the Map questions in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 questions in detail and provide you 5 map practice questions.
Table Of Contents
How to Tackle Maps in IELTS Writing Task 1 Questions
Maps occasionally show up in IELTS academic writing task 1 and when they do, you will see two maps. Often one map is in the past map, while the other is in the present. You’ll also encounter scenarios where both maps are in the past. You might also get maps which show proposals for the future such as a redevelopment scheme. Therefore, it is important to use the proper tenses to describe the changes.
Since there are 2 maps, the essay structure for this question is simple:
- Introduction: Paraphrase the question
- Overview: Describe what you consider to be the major changes over time.
- Body paragraph 1: Describe the first map in detail
- Body paragraph 2: Describe the second map in detail
We will use this essay structure for all map questions. Now, let’s join IELTS Instructor Tina below to learn how to approach IELTS Writing Task 1 Map questions.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Maps Lesson
The diagrams below show the coastal village of Seaville in 1980 and 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
Model Essay
Important functional words are highlighted in red
Useful vocabulary and phrases are highlighted in green
Synonyms and topic vocabulary are highlighted in blue
The maps illustrate significant changes in the seaside town of Seaville, over a thirty-year period, from 1980 to 2010.
Overall, the village developed substantially from a holiday settlement to a permanent town over the 30 year period. Similarly, infrastructure and amenities increased, along with the town’s capacity to provide for tourists.
In 1980, Seaville was tiny, attracting only a few tourists, who were accommodated in cottages or a small hotel. In contrast, East Bank was unspoilt. To the east of the cottages, was a marsh, and there was woodland to the north. Regarding recreation, besides the beach, the town only offered a tea room.
However, the village had grown dramatically by 2010. Retirement villages had been built to the west of the main road. The marsh had been drained and the cottages demolished in order to construct houses. To cater for tourists, both a new high-rise hotel and holiday cottages on East Bank had been constructed. The woodlands had been cleared and supplanted by a golf course. Similarly, a boat club had been built on the west bank of the river. New infrastructure was created to access East Bank. On the other hand, the town had preserved the original hotel.
The maps below show the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and plans for its development. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
Model Essay
Important functional words are highlighted in red
Useful vocabulary and phrases are highlighted in green
Synonyms and topic vocabulary are highlighted in blue
The diagrams illustrate some proposed changes to the central area of the town of Islip.
Overall, the principal change to the town will be the construction of a ring road around the centre. Various other developments with regard to shops and housing will accompany the building of this road.
As the first map reveals, lslip town center now is relatively small. There is a main road from the west to the east with shops on both sides. The northern area is rarely countryside, while the southern area is filled with houses with a school at the end of the fork road in the southwest corner and a park in the southeast area.
In the future, the main road is expected to reform into a dual carriageway as a round containing all the new buildings. The shops along the north side of the new pedestrian street will be demolished to make way for a bus station, shopping centre, car parks and new housing area. The shops along the south side of the street will remain, but it seems that the town’s park will be reduced in size so that more new houses can be built within the ring road.
Vocabulary for IELTS Academic Writing Map Questions
When describing the location of something on a map, you can use the following phrases and vocabulary:
| Phrases and vocabulary | Example sentences |
|---|---|
|
to the north of/north of |
The marsh is north of the hotel = The marsh is to the north of the hotel. |
|
to the south of/ south of |
The hotel is to the south of the marsh = The hotel is south of the marsh |
|
to the east of/ east of |
The forest to the east of the river was completely cut down. = The forest east of the river was completely cut down. |
|
to the west of/ west of |
The factory to the west of the school was flattened and relocated. = The factory west of the school was flattened and relocated. |
|
north east of / to the north east of north west of / to the north west of south east of / to the south east of south west of / to the south west of |
The sand dunes are north east of the tea room. The industrial area to the south west of the station was expanded. The shopping centre is relocated to the south west of the town, which has a population of 50,000. |
|
in the west in the east in the north in the south |
Most of the town’s buildings are concentrated in the north. There were many shops in the east. |
|
on the south side of on the north side of on the east side of on the west side of |
Shops on the south side of the current main road will be maintained in the future. The trees on the east side of the river were cut down and a new office block was built. The shops along the north side of the new pedestrian street will be demolished to make way for a bus station. |
|
Northern Southern Eastern Western Southeast Northeast Southwest Northwest |
The house faces northwest. The northern area is rarely countryside, while the southern area is filled with houses. There is a school at the end of the fork road in the southwest corner and a park in the southeast area. Most factories are located on the northeast side of the town. |
Now that you're familiar with the IELTS Writing Task 1 Map questions, it's time to practice. Check out the practice questions below.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Map Questions
This section presents a list of common IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Map questions. If you want to prepare for the IELTS Writing Test, these questions are a must study.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
[Practice and View Model Answer]
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
[Practice and View Model Answer]
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
[Practice and View Model Answer]
The diagrams below show the coastal village of Seaville in 1980 and 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
[Practice and View Model Answer]
The maps below show the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and plans for its development. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
[Practice and View Model Answer]
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