how to write map essay in ielts

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How To Write an IELTS Map Essay

IELTS map questions are the easiest to answer. There are no numbers to analyse, just 2 or 3 maps to compare. Very occasionally, there might only be a single map, but this is rare.

The maps will be of the same location at different times. This could be in the past, the present time or a plan for a proposed development in the future. You are required to write about the changes you see between the maps.

There are 5 steps to writing a high-scoring IELTS map essay:

1) Analyse the question

2) Identify the main features

3) Write an introduction

4) Write an overview

5) Write the details paragraphs

I must emphasise the importance of steps 1 and 2. It is essential that you complete this planning stage properly before you start writing. You’ll understand why when I guide you through it. It should only take 5 minutes, leaving you a full 15 minute to write your essay.

In this lesson, we’re going to work through the 5 stages step-by-step as we answer a practice IELTS map question.

Before we begin, here’s a model essay structure that you can use as a guideline for all IELTS Academic Task 1 questions.

Ideally, your essay should have 4 paragraphs:

Paragraph 1 – Introduction

Paragraph 2 – Overview

Paragraph 3 – 1 st main feature

Paragraph 4 – 2 nd main feature

We now have everything we need to begin planning and writing our IELTS map essay.

Here’s our practice question:

The maps below show the village of Stokeford in 1930 and 2010.

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

Write at least 150 words.

Step 1 – Analyse the question

The format of every Academic Task 1 question is the same. Here is our practice question again with the words that will be included in all questions highlighted.

Every question consists of:

Sentence 1 – A brief description of the graphic
Sentence 2 – The instructions
The graphic – map, chart, graph, table, etc.

Sentence 2 tells you what you have to do.

You must do 3 things:

1. Select the main features.

2. Write about the main features.

3. Compare the main features.

All three tasks refer to the ‘ main features ’ of the graphic. You do not have to write about everything. Just pick out 2 or 3 key features and you’ll have plenty to write about.

Step 2 – Identify the Main Features

All you are looking for are the main features. Start with the earliest map. Identify the key features and look to see how they have changed in the later map, and again in the final map if there are three.

Here are some useful questions to ask?

1) What time periods are shown?

Are the maps of past, present or future situations? This is important to note because it will determine whether you write your essay using past, present or future tenses.

The two maps in our practice IELTS map question show the village of Stokeford at two different times in the past. This immediately tells us that we will need to use the past tense in our essay.

2) What are the main differences between the maps?

What features have disappeared? What new features are in their place?

3) What features have remained the same over the time period?

Although the location on the maps will have undergone major development, some features may remain unchanged.

Also, think about directional language you can use, such as:

So, what information is contained our maps? Here they are again.

Source: IELTS past paper

There are a number of different features we could select such as, the loss of the shops, the disappearance of farmland, the enlargement of the school and the development of the large house into a retirement home.

Many maps will contain far more changes than our sample maps and the changes may be more complex. In such cases, you won’t have time to write about all of them and will need to select just 2 or 3 main features to focus on.

Our maps are quite simple so we’ll list all 4 of the major changes I’ve just identified.

Main feature 1: The farmland has been built on.

Main feature 2: The large house has been converted into a retirement home.

Main feature 3: The school has been enlarged.

Main feature 4: The shops have disappeared.

The key features you select will be the starting point for your IELTS map essay. You will then go on to add more detail later. However, with just 20 minutes allowed for Task 1, and a requirement of only 150 words, you won't be able to include many details.

We’re now ready to begin writing our essay. Here’s a reminder of the 4 part structure we’re going to use.

For this essay, we’ll adapt this a little to write about two of the features in Paragraph 3 and the other two features in Paragraph 4.

Step 3 – Write an Introduction

In the introduction, you should simply paraphrase the question, that is, say the same thing in a different way. You can do this by using synonyms and changing the sentence structure. For example:

Introduction (Paragraph 1):

The two maps illustrate how the village of Stokeford, situated on the east bank of the River Stoke, changed over an 80 year period from 1930 to 2010.

This is all you need to do for the introduction.

Step 4 – Write an Overview (Paragraph 2)

In the second paragraph, you should describe the general changes that have taken place. The detail comes later in the essay.

State the information simply. No elaborate vocabulary or grammar structures are required, just the appropriate words and correct verb tenses.

For example:

Overview (Paragraph 2):

There was considerable development of the settlement over these years and it was gradually transformed from a small rural village into a largely residential area.

Two sentences would be better than one for the second paragraph but we’ll be getting into the detail if we say more about these maps at this point, so we’ll leave the overview as one sentence.

Step 5 – Write the 1st Detail Paragraph

Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS map essay are where you include more detailed information. In paragraph 3, you should give evidence to support your first 1or 2 key features.

In the case of our main features, 1 and 3 are closely related so we’ll write about these two together.

Here they are again:

And this is an example of what you could write:

Paragraph 3 :

The most notable change is the presence of housing in 2010 on the areas that were farmland back in 1930. New roads were constructed on this land and many residential properties built. In response to the considerable increase in population, the primary school was extended to around double the size of the previous building.

Step 6 – Write the 2nd Detail Paragraph

For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your remaining key features.

Here are the two we have left:

This is an example of what you could write:

Paragraph 4 :

Whilst the post office remained as a village amenity, the two shops that can be seen to the north-west of the school in 1930, no longer existed by 2010, having been replaced by houses. There also used to be an extensive property standing in its own large gardens situated to the south-east of the school. At some time between 1930 and 2010, this was extended and converted into a retirement home. This was another significant transformation for the village.

Here are the four paragraphs brought together to create our finished essay.

Finished IELTS Map Essay

This sample IELTS map essay is well over the minimum word limit so you can see that you don’t have space to include very much detail at all. That’s why it is essential to select just a couple of main features to write about.

Now use what you’ve learnt in this lesson to practice answering other IELTS map questions. Start slowly at first and keep practicing until you can plan and write a complete essay in around 20 minutes.

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Ielts academic writing task 1 – all lessons.

IELTS Academic Writing – A summary of the test including important facts, test format & assessment.

Academic Writing Task 1 – The format, the 7 question types & sample questions, assessment & marking criteria. All the key information you need to know.

Understanding Task 1 Questions – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 1 Essay – Discover 3 reasons why you must plan, the 4 simple steps of essay planning and learn a simple 4 part essay structure.

Vocabulary for Task 1 Essays – Learn key vocabulary for a high-scoring essay. Word lists & a downloadable PDF.

Grammar for Task 1 Essays – Essential grammar for Task 1 Academic essays including, verb tenses, key sentence structures, articles & prepositions.

The 7 Question Types:

Click the links below for a step-by-step lesson on each type of Task 1 question.

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IELTS Writing Task 1 Maps Lesson

Introduction.

This guide on IELTS Writing Task 1 maps questions will cover:

Different kinds of map question
Describing specific changes
Describing general changes
Describing locations
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:

Describe one map in the present day.
Describe two maps- one in the present and one in the future.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Over the period, the area witnessed dramatic changes.
From 1995 to 2005, the city centre saw spectacular developments.
The village changed considerably over the period.
During the 10-year period, the industrial area was totally transformed.
Over the past 20 years, the residential area was totally reconstructed.
Over the period, the old docks were totally redeveloped.
Between 1995 and 2005, the old houses were rebuilt.
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.

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.

Dramatic changes took place in the city centre.

To the town’s south is a golf course surrounded by trees.

A new school was built next to the swimming pool.

The old road running from north to south was replaced by a new motorway.

A marina was built on the banks of the river.

Sample Answer

Both maps display an island before and after it was developed for tourism.

The island is approximately 250 metres long, has palm trees dotted around it, is surrounded by ocean and has a beach to the west. Over the period, the island was completely transformed with the addition of a hotel and a pier; however, the eastern part of the island appears to have been left undeveloped.

The most noticeable additions are the hotel rooms. 6 buildings, surrounding some trees, have been built in the west of the island, and 9 buildings have been constructed in the centre of the island. A reception building and a restaurant have been developed between the two accommodation areas.

A pier has also been built on the island’s south coast, allowing yachts access to the resort. Apart from the trees, the beach remains the only natural feature to remain relatively untouched; however, it appears to be used for swimming.

Do you need me to correct your essays and give you feedback on them? Check out our essay correction service .

I hope this lesson has helped you and if you have any questions, please comment below.

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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.

How to tackle maps in ielts writing task 1 questions, vocabulary for ielts academic writing map questions.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - 5 Map 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

Question 1 from the video
Question 2 from the video

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.

PRACTICE QUESTION 1 ON OUR IELTS APP

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.

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.

PRACTICE QUESTION 2 ON OUR IELTS APP

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 the hotel = The marsh is the hotel.
to the south of/ south of	The hotel is the marsh = The hotel is the marsh
to the east of/ east of	The forest the river was completely cut down. = The forest the river was completely cut down.
to the west of/ west of	The factory the school and relocated. = The factory the school 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 the tea room. The industrial area the station was expanded. The shopping centre is relocated 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 There were many shops
on the south side of on the north side of on the east side of on the west side of	Shops the current main road will be maintained in the future. The trees the river were cut down and a new office block was built. The shops 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 . The area is rarely countryside, while the area is filled with houses. There is a school at the end of the fork road and a park . Most factories are located 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.

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.

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How to describe a map for academic task 1

In task 1 of the academic writing component of the IELTS exam , you may be asked to describe a map or plan.

The diagram will be of a building, street, village, city or town plan that may ask you to contrast the past and present, or the present and future.

There will also be a key that explains different locations on the map or a reference to roads and routes. You are expected to write a 150-word description of the information on the map, which will probably include buildings, routes or proposed changes for the future.

Your writing will be scored on four criteria: task achievement, coherence, lexical resources and grammatical accuracy. Let’s review techniques to achieve a good score in all four areas.

1. Organise your thoughts

Organise your thoughts before starting. This is critically important.

Plan what you will include for each paragraph. A good technique is to explain the area as if you were walking in. So if you had a map of a house, you would start with the doorway or entrance hall.

Alternatively, if the map is larger you can start from right to left. Just make sure it’s logical i.e don’t jump from right to left to centre.

TIP: While planning, look for opportunities to group the information, for example; both maps may have an area that is unchanged between the time dates. This can be written up as:

Over the fifty year period both maps have maintained a distinct recreational area despite the extensive construction in the surrounding areas.

2. Task achievement

Be sure to write at least 150 words that describe all information illustrated in the map or plan. Take about three minutes to understand the map, identify changes and circle the key points.

Summarise the main changes or information in the introduction and give more detail in the main part of your text. Give a short summary to sum up the impact of these changes on the town or area.

3. Coherence

The format of your text should be written in three to four paragraphs: an introduction, main paragraph(s) and conclusion.

The use of connectors, such as First of all, In addition to and To summarise , are important to maintain coherence and a logical flow of ideas in your work.

Other useful structures would be; opposite, in front of, on the right, to the north, to the south, etc. Maintain separate paragraphs to distinguish changes or comparisons.

For example, use your second paragraph to give details of the first map and write about the next map in your third paragraph.

4. Language

Be sure not to repeat the vocabulary shown on the map, but use your own words for the description. Let’s consider useful vocabulary to describe a map or plan.

In your initial paragraph, you can use verbs such as show, demonstrate or illustrate . For example:

This map illustrates plans to change the green area into a playground for children.

Of course, try to use synonyms to add variety to your use of language. Synonyms of illustrate are highlight, indicate or demonstrate .

= This map highlights a project to transform the green park into a play area for children.

To describe location, employ useful prepositions :

There is a large residential area between the small lake and the park.

A road runs alongside the border of the park.

As we are describing a map or plan, it is essential to use compass points to describe direction. For example:

This plan proposes to build a playground in the south-west part of the park.

The airport is currently located north-east of the town.It will be moved to the west of the park where there is more space.

A lot of other useful vocabulary for maps or plans includes town centre, residential area, roads, routes, railway station and traffic-free zone .

Where possible, use synonyms to avoid repetition.

TIP: Comparisons, and superlatives are also valuable points winners!

The passive form The passive form is often used in this type of writing task, as we do not know who is planning these changes. For example:

The park is located west of the village. The playground will be built in the south-west part of the park. A flower garden will be created east of the playground.

Use a range of tenses. As you may compare the present with future plans, show your ability to use theses times:

Currently, there is a traffic-free zone in the center of the park. This zone will be expanded to the west area of the park.

In 2014, there was a train station located in the north-east of the region. Currently, this station is now based in south of the village.

When making recent comparisons, it’s useful to employ the present perfect simple:

A new hospital has been constructed in the east of the village.

There have been two new roads built around the border of the town.

To achieve a higher score in IELTS academic writing task 1, it’s advisable to use some clauses:

To the south of the river, a new hotel has been constructed.

Greystones, which has a population of 50,000 , is situated south of Dublin on the seaside.

Take a look at IELTS academic task 1 sample essays to help you prepare and check out our IELTS essay correction service to help you improve.

Video: Describe an IELTS map - task 1. With band 9 model answer

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IELTS Writing Maps: Model Answer, Tips & Vocabulary

Below is an IELTS Writing Task 1 Map Model Answer with Great Tips and also Vocabulary. The IELTS Map Model Answer is Band Score 9 and helps you see the structure, key features and language. The IELTS Map question is a comparison of three maps in different time periods for the academic writing task 1.

TIPS FOR IELTS MAPS: WRITING Task 1

Below are useful tips and techniques for writing a high band score writing task 1 map.

Types of IELTS Maps

There are a variety of maps that you can get in IELTS Writing Task 1 test:

Changes in Towns

These types of maps focus on the expansion and layout of towns with features such as roads, buildings, land and other features of a town or city. It is most common to be given two maps, but occasionally (like in the model below) you could get three maps.

2. Changes in a Resort

This is about a holiday area which usually has different features than a town. There might be facilities such as swimming pools, nature hikes, hotels, beaches and water features. These types of tasks often compare current resorts with a future resort. However, future maps could appear as any type of map.

3. Places with Multiple Buildings and Features

Typical examples of this type of map is a school, university or hospital.

This type of map covers an area of ground containing different buildings that serve different functions. The layout is different to a town and the facilities relate only to the function of the company/institution.

4. Floor Plans

You could be given a floor plan which means it is the layout of a building on the inside showing all the rooms. Floor plans often show a past layout with a future plan to expand and alter rooms. Unlike the above maps, this one is about rooms and the functions of rooms. For example a room might have been a study in the past but there are plans to expand it and use it as a kitchen/diner.

Grammar Tenses for Map Writing

Always check the date on the maps.:

if the map is dated in the past , you must use past tense. For example, “The hospital was located to the north side of the town”
if the map shows a future plan , you must use future forms, such as “it will be extended and will no longer be used as an office, but instead used as a reception room.”.
if the map is dated as “Present” or “Now”, you would use the present tense.
If there is a comparison of dates , you must be flexible with the tenses in your sentences: “the office was located on the ground floor but in the future it will be moved to the first floor.”
You will also notice that the passive voice is sometimes used for map reports for writing task 1.

Map KEYS and Compass Points

Sometimes your map will have a key. This is a a box of information in the map that tells you what things are called. You should pay attention to it and use that language.

Always check if the map shows north. For towns and other areas, you can always presume that north is directly up. It is important to know: north, south, east and west. Watch the video below for map vocabulary.

Structure & Paragraphing for IELTS Map Writing

Structure of Report

Introduction – paraphrasing the description given and adding more required information
Overview – collecting all key features into one paragraph
Body Paragraph 1 – details of the maps
Body Paragraph 2 – details of the maps
Body Paragraph 3 – details of the maps (optional)

Overview: Key Features

All overviews in writing task 1 are critical to your score and are the most important paragraph. They must contain all key features. So, you need to pay attention to what changes and what stays the same. This what you highlight in your overview paragraph. The biggest mistake people make is writing only one sentence for their overview because they think it isn’t important.

Body Paragraphs

Your division of information for body paragraphs will depend on what your maps show. You might divide the information into paragraphs based in different time periods. But if you do that, you won’t be comparing. Or you could divide information based on what changes and what doesn’t. Body paragraph organisation must be logical whatever your choice.

IELTS MAP WRITING TASK 1: Model Answer

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

Source: Map above not produced by IELTS Liz.

IELTS Map Comparison Model Answer

The three maps illustrate how Meadowside village and Fonton, which is a nearby town, have developed from 1962 to the present.

Overall, both Fonton and Meadowside village increased in size over the years until they eventually merged together, at which point Meadowside became a suburb. Furthermore, there have been significant changes to infrastructure, housing and facilities over the period given.

In 1962, both Meadowside and Fonton were completely separate with no roads or rail connecting them. While Fonton had a railway line running to the north, Meadowside, located to the west of Fonton, only had a small road from the west.

By 1985, Meadowside had expanded and the small road had become a main road. A further main road had been built to connect the village to Fonton. Within Meadowside, a superstore, leisure complex and housing estate had been developed. By this time, Fonton had also grown in size.

Currently, Meadowside is known as Meadowside Suburbs after joining with Fonton. Between both places, a hotel, station and business park have been built on either side of the railway line.

COMMENTS about MODEL ANSWER:

It isn’t often that you will have three body paragraphs for your IELTS Writing Task 1 report. But this maps has three time periods so it makes sense to have these body paragraphs.
Body Paragraph 1 – roads and railway
Body Paragraph 2 – land and buildings
There is no right or wrong way to organise information into body paragraphs. You are being marked on being logical in how you organise information. If it lacks logic, you get a lower score. Your organisation also needs to help highlight key features which means deciding key features during your planning state is important because it will influence your paragraphing.
The length of all writing task 1 should be between 170 and 190 words. A longer report will be marked down for not selecting features and getting lost in detail. A shorter report will be marked for not having enough information. To learn about the marking criteria that the examiner will assess you on, click here: Writing Task 1 Band Scores Explained

Vocabulary for Maps Video

The map shown in this lesson was designed for teaching vocabulary – it not an IELTS map task.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

How to write an introduction for writing task 1
Overview or Conclusion?
Diagram Model Answer
Line Graph Model Answer
ALL MODEL ANSWERS AND TIPS FOR WRITING TASK 1

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The diagrams given below compare the current layout of Meadowside village and its neighboring town, Fonton with those in 1962 and in 1985.

Overall, both Meadowside village and Fonton experienced numerous changes, specifically in terms of increasing land area to eventually merge together. Furthermore, there has been significant urbanization, as the housing and infrastructure facilities have greatly developed. In 1962, Meadowside village was a bare land with no railway tracks and a small road from the west, whereas Fonton, located to the east of Meadowside was a separate land with a railway track running through it. From 1962 to 1985, Meadowside village exhibited substantial development growing into a larger village with a housing estate in the west, a super store in the south, a leisure complex in the east and wider roads. Notably, during this period, Fonton’s land area increased in size and a connection between the two towns was established via road.

The growth of these two areas has continued to the current date, consequently, resulting in the land areas joining together to form one large town ultimately forming Meadowside suburbs. The railway lines that belonged to Fonton, has now been extended alongside the road to reach a station. To the north of this station, a hotel has been constructed and opposite the station, on the other side of the road, a business park is now present.

The maps depicts the layout of Meadowside village and Fonton in 1962 and what modifications have experienced from 1985 until now. Overall, the size of Meadowside village and Fonton has been largened in favour of significant alertations to infrastructure, commercial and residential facilities which have been added. In the initial period surveyed, Meadowside village and Fonton were located separately, the former in the east and the latter in the opposite side. Railway line was laid through Fonton from the north to the west. Similarly, there was small road to the east upon the village.

The given map indicates the alters which have occurred in meadowside rural a neighboring fonton from 1962 until now. As it is clear, The maps show an expanding trend and how meadowside has developed during this time. In 1962, Meadowside was a small village on the west side of the town and two local paths made connections between the village and other parts. However, it wasn’t a stable situation because Meadowside became bigger than in the past and created two roads which through the pass of the village made a connection to Fonton. Furthermore, several places were added to the meadow side in 1985. In addition, The Fonton was developed on the west side in 1985. The Meadowside village has developed and become a part of Fonton while in1962 was a small village and now is a suburb of Fonton town and these days was build a rail station, business park and a hotel near the main road.

These three maps demonstrated the layout of a village named Meadowside and its neighborhood in the respective years 1962, 1985 and present time . Basically, over the period of time this village converted into well developed suburb area with numerous changes taken place in terms of infrastructure. Initially, in year 1962 meadowside was a village with almost very empty spaces and there was not any connecting road available to its neighborhood Fonton. Although, in year 1985 a link road was built to connect both areas. Other infrastructure developments that took place was a leisure club, a targeted area for housing and a super market. Now comparing with current scenario, Meadowside is transformed into suburban area which is expanded towards Fonton. In the midst of this area a hotel, a station is built. Additionally a business park also built in front of main linking highway.

Hi, do we have to mention that the housing complex was build to the west or is it sufficient to just mention buildings that were built?

Generally, you would give locations. However, it really depends on how much information there is to relate. If there is a lot of information, you would choose how to present it differently to if there was only a bit of information. There are no fixed rules. Task 1 is a short report aimed at being around 170-190 words. Rarely does it go over 200 and if it does, it would only be around 210 words. Also, it is designed to be completed in just 20 mins. So, if you take those things into consideration, you’ll make certain choices and this is what you plan before you start writing.

Hi Liz, shouldn’t we maintain the writing task 1 structure as follows: Introduction, Overview, Detailed Paragraph 1 and Detailed Paragraph 2? But, here you have shown five paragraphs containing the whole essay. Could you help to solve my confusion?

The first thing to note is that task 1 is not an essay. It’s really important that you realise this. Task 2 is an essay and task 1 is a report. This is why the sentence structures are similar, language is similar and structure is similar. Regarding organisation of paragraphs, IELTS is testing your ability to group information together into paragraphs. There are no set rules for how many paragraphs you might have. But logically, you can see that in a short report (and IELTS reports are short), you will need an introduction, an overview and body paragraphs (plural). It is most likely that you will only need 2 body paragraphs. Almost all task 1 will have only two. But three are sometimes needed. That is why I create these model answers. I want you to see what must stay the same and where there is flexibility. So, you are doing the right thing in spotting these differences. But just know that if I’ve done it in a model answer, then it’s safe to do. My model answers are safe to learn from and I am careful in how I create them for learning purposes.

Hi liz i hope you are doing well i had one question in your map essay you categorise it to five paragraph is that possible to do it in any writing task1 because to my knowledge most of the time we make it four and thank you for your assistance

The first thing to realise is that writing task 1 is a report, not an essay. Secondly, there are no fixed rules for the number of paragraphs. Most reports will have two body paragraphs, but occasionally you’ll get a task that requires three. It all depends on the information given in the task.

The maps show the changes that have taken place in meadowside village and a neighbouring town called Fonton since 1962. It shows meadowside village and Fonton town as two independent places in 1962 with no road or rail linking them. However, both places have now been connected by a road and a few other infrastructure have been constructed between them.

Overall, the maps show a significant growth in both places between 1962,1985 and now. The development started in 1985 with a housing estate, leisure complex and a superstore, all established in meadowside village. A road was also constructed this particular year linking meadowside village with Fonton town. Both places also expanded in terms of land mass between 1962 and 1985.

Currently, meadowside village has become a suburb and is presently called meadowside suburb, it has also further expanded and completely merged with Fonton town. Additionally, a hotel, station and bus park have been built between both places.

In conclusion, it is obvious that both meadowside village and fonton town have immensely seen major growth and development between 1962 and now.

I don’t usually comment, but I will say this: The overview is the most important paragraph in task 1. It contains all key features, not data and details. It is an general view of the main stages or main changes. You can’t have an overview and a conclusion in a report for task 1. Just the overview is required.

The map illustrates Meadowside village and Fonton and how they have developed over the years 1962, 1985 and presently.

Overall, Meadowside village has become bigger and is now Meadowside suburb as it has merged with Fonton. There are new roads connecting the two villages and new buildings have been built.

In 1962, Meadowside village and Fonton lie on either side not connected by road or rail. But it is visible that Fonton had a rail running through it from the north to the east. On the other hand, Meadowside village had a small road passing through it; it started in the north and moved to the west.

As we move to 1985, we can see that Meadowside village has been expanded and now facilitates a housing estate along with a leisure complex beside it. Across the road that runs through the village which was previously only a small road and is now a main road, we are able to notice the presence of a superstore on the south of the residential area which first appeared in 1985. It is noticeable that there is a road that passes through the village and Fonton from the west to east.

In terms of now, Meadowside is now a suburb. A new rail has emerged towards the east starting from a station located in the center of the two places. Just above the station is where the hotel is situated. Below the station, we can see the business park as well.

Hi can you please correct my mistakes and let me know if there is anything I can do to make this better. And what is a score that I can expect?

The maps presents the development of the urbanization in Meodowside village and the nearest located town Fonton, from year 1962. Meodowside and Fonton started far apart from eachother, but have gradually been structured over time into a bigger town with linking roads, trainroad tracks, and new-built housing.

In 1962 Meodowside village was situated singularly, without any connection to Fonton. The small village had a smaller road passing through. Fonton had only a trainway track going through town.

Under the period up until 1985, there was a significant change. Looking at the middle map, Meodowside has developed to a larger village and buildings as the housing estate and a superstore were constructed in additional. The small road was built wider and another linking road was shaped between the town and village.

After the year 1985, the infrastructure changed massively. A hotel with a nearby trainstation and a business park have been reinforced. Comparing now to 1962 shows a big difference and total connection creating a town out of the the prior village and town.

172 words 32 minutes

The map illustrates the information about the development of Meadowside and Fonton over three periods of time. Overall, it can be seen from the map that there was no development of Meadowside and Fonton in 1962. Meanwhile, in the present, there are so many facilities, including housing estate, superstore, hotel, train station and business park.

Initially, in 1962, there was no development in the landscape in the middle of area. There is only a road ran through Meadowside village and a railway in Fonton as well. Moreover, in 1985, a housing estate, superstore and leisure complex were built in Meadowside village. The road was upgraded to concrete road and connected to Fonton. Additionally, Fonton area was bigger than the 1962.

In the present, a hotel, train station and business park is built between Meadowside suburbs and Fonton. In addition, train station is connected to Fonton. Meadowside suburbs and Fonton area have merged into one major landscape.

Three maps are shown, depicting the composition of Meadowside village and the neighbouring town of Fonton in 1962, 1985, and in the present.

Overall, one can retrace the development and growth of the two communities with first, the building of a bigger and connecting road through Meadowside village into an enlarged Fonton and second, the incorporation into one continuously populated area with new shared infrastructures.

By 1985, the previously smaller road through Meadowside village had been rebuilt into a larger road, including a new section dividing from its curved path, leading straight into the town of Fonton. Further infrastructural changes have only been made after 1985. Nowadays, a novel railway terminus is situated in the area between the two communities, that provides access to the Fonton railway.

In terms of other buildings, both communities had grown considerably by 1985, with the map illustrating a housing estate, leisure complex and superstore located within Meadowside village. Since then, this housing estate has increased further, and a hotel and business park have been built next to the new station, centered in between the once two communities. connecting the formerly beforehand separate communities.

broo this is a 9.5 score band

i love u lizz

The maps depict both Meadowside village and Fonton town in their present and past appearances, dating back to 1985 and 1962.

Overall, it can be clearly seen that not only have the town and village been developed, they are also connected to each other among the considered periods. Similarly, a number of infrastructures have been developed.

In 1962, Fonton and Meadowside were ordinary towns and villages with no interconnection, but they had their own roots. In Meadowside village, there was a road expanding to the south-west of the village and north, and Fonton had a rail road running in the middle of the town. By the year 1985, for the first time, the village and the town had joined each other with the construction of a road. Furthermore, in Meadowside Village, there had been built a supermarket, a housing state, and a leisure complex to the southern part, to the western part, and to the northern part, respectively.

By present, both Meadowside village and Fonton town have been totally connected. There is a station right in the middle of town, a hotel to the north, and a business park to the south. And there is a noticeable extension of the railway to the middle of the town. Furthermore, the name of the village has been changed to Meadowside Suburs.

The maps show the development projects taking place in both Meadowside Village and Fonton, which is a neighboring town, from 1962 to the present era. Overall, there were significant changes in both towns, Meadowside village were extended in size and has become a Surber area. There is some infrastructure, a housing estate, and a leisure complex. Meadowside Village is connected by a main road to the Fonton. In 1992, both Meadowside Village and Fonton Town were completely separated. There is a railway track in Fonton Town, which runs through its North side, and a road in Meadowside Village which runs from its west side. In 1985, some changes were made in Meadowside Village. An estate housing and a complex leisure wade made on its North side and a superstore at its south side. Moreover, Meadowside Village was extended by a main road, which connect it to Fonton Town directly. At that present time, another railway track has been made, which comes from the Western side of Fonton Town. There is also a station made there. A business park has been constructed on the opposite side of the railway station. Besides this, a hotel has been constructed here. Shortly, it can be said that these two towns are completely merged.

The maps illustrate the developments that took place in the Meadowside village and its neighbouring town, Fonton since 1962. There are 3 maps and they show the same region across 3 different dates (1962, 1985, and current).

Overall, initially Fonton Town appears considerably larger than Meadowside village but as time passed, the meadowside village grew in size. It can be observed that Meadowside village had more changes compared to Fonton town. Currently, Meadowside village and Fonton Town are interlinked with many buildings and roads.

In 1962, Meadowside village had only one road passing through it which ran from the west to north while Fonton had a railway line from north to the east. The two did not have any interlinks between them for commute. By 1985 however, Meadowside village grew rapidly, with the road being expanded and a new section of road had been laid out to reach Fonton Town. The village had a housing estate, leisure complex, and a super-store.

Currently, Meadowside Village has transformed into Meadowside Suburbs and a new railway line has been established in Fonton Town which ends in a station situated nearly in the centre of the two localities. The Hotel lies to the north of the station compared to the business park being located in the south. The business park can be accessed from the road linking Meadowside suburbs and Fonton Town.

The maps provide information about two neighbouring settlements, Meadowside(a village) and Fonton(a town), which have undergone development in the space of 60years. Overall, there has been development in the infrastructure, housing and transport systems in both Meadowside and Fonton, and the two areas have increased in size over the years.

Notably, there was a huge difference in both the size of Meadowside and its infrastructures between 1962 to 1985 as housing estate, leisure complex and super store were all constructed in 1985 as opposed to the lack of these facilities in 1962 in the village. In the same period, Fonton town was developed with increased size and construction of road passing from the southeast to the southwest, connecting Meadowside and Fonton together.

At the moment, both Meadowside and Fonton has been transformed with amenities such as station, business park and a hotel which serve both the suburb and the town.

Impressively, while Meadowside was merely a village up till 1985, it is now a suburb area. Also, Fonton town and Meadowside are now connected together as their sizes have increased to joining each other.

you need to describe the map. stating the location of the buildings developed using the map axis will be better..

Hi Liz, I hope you are doing great on your job. I just want to know that if you have released any updated article for IELTS writing recently as I believe that structure of IELTS writing is modernized by the changes of time. Thank you so much in advance for your response.

The writing test hasn’t changed. The format is the same as it always was. The marking is the same. The techniques are the same. Nothing has changed.

Thank you for this update

You’re welcome 🙂

The map illustrate the change that foncton and meadowside village went through in three time periods (1962, 1985 and the present).

Overall, the two neighbors used to be separate with no road or railway connection whatsoever, the two entities managed to grow over time, first to be linked with a road and merged at the end with new different infrastructure facilities.

in 1962, Meadowside village had only one small road coming from the west of the village and heading north. Meanwhile, foncton had a railway coming from the north, passing through the city and going west.

in 1985, the only road in Meadowise village got increased with an extention linking to it’s neighboring village and going east.Furthermore, a housing estate and a leisure complex were builled north of the West-East road, and a superstore was constructed on the south side of the that road.

Currently, Meadowside village name changed to Meadowside suburbs as it merged with foncton, a new business park was constructed south to the East-west road, a new train station was build at the center of the merging neighbors with a new railroad linked to the old one, north of it, a hotel was build.

The maps illustrate the progress occurred in Meadowside village and its neighbor, Fonton in three different time periods.

Overall, there were significant changes clearly seen in these two areas, one of which is their merging at present.

In detail, both Meadowside and Fonton were separated in 1962. The foremost was still a small village with steep road that passed from north to west. The latter, on the other hand was larger in size with rail ran through north to east.

Meanwhile, in 1985 both towns increased their land areas. There were leisure complex, superstore and housing built in Meadowside. Moreover, the steep road was converted into wider roads, one of which was extended to Fonton.

At present, Meadowside village which is now a suburb is combined with Fonton. Hotel and station has been established in the eastern side with newly built business park adjacent to the main road connected to Fonton. Alternatively, Fonton formed additional railway across west nearby suburb.

This map illustrates how Meadowside village and Fonton , which is neighbour town, have developed over three different times (1982, 1985 and now). Now Meadowside village is grown much more than 1982, it is merge with Fonton and grown significate infrastructure, 1962, this two village were completely separated. There where no rail and Road transportation, they didn’t have any kind of communication. They was only road from west. 1985, there was growth in Meadowside village, there was Leisure Complex, Housing Estate in west. Super Store in south. Small road converted to main road and also extended to Fonton has also developed. Now, they are now connected through subways and fonton is now joined .They are more developed. Railways are built in west and run in fonton where the station are built. To north side of the station, a hotel is construction and opposite the station . There is the business park built in south.

Hi Liz ! Thank you so much for sharing with us such a well-explained essay. I found your website veru useful. I will take IELTS exam in the coming month and I will inform my score with you.

Sincerely, Anvar

The way you explain is extremely beautiful like you. And apologies if i am crossing my limit but your smile could make anyone’s day. Thank you for providing all the information regarding task 1 and 2. Keep smiling.

That’s a lovely comment. Thank you. I’m glad my lessons are useful 🙂

Are you briliant teacher

you are really very good person and Don’t forget keep always smiling 😊

The map illustrates the meadowside village and Fonton which are the neighbouring towns, have developed over the different time periods from 1962, 1985 and the present era.

Overall, the Meadowside village developed their infrastructure which includes transportation, buildings, hotels etc and connected with the Fonton town.

In 1962, both the villages Fonton and Meadowside were not developed as there was no means of transportation between these two places. While Fonton had a railway line running from the north to eastern side of the village. Whereas Meadowside had a small road running from the northern part to western side of the village.

In 1985, there has been considerable changes in both the villages, especially in Meadowside village. The small road which was running from north towards the western part of the region had been converted into a highway road and the southern part of this road were merged with another road line which connects to Fonton village. Since then travelling between two villages became more convenient. Moreove in Meadowside village three important landmarks were added to their infrastructure, the Leisure complex in the western part, Housing estate in the eastern side and Super store at the southern area of the village.

At present both the villages were developed by improving the mode of transportation, as new connection railway lines were constructed from the western part of Fonton towards the centre location between two villages. To enhance the tourist economy of this area, they built a hotel behind the railway station and the business park on the opposite side of the station towards the south.

The map compares the development of Meadowside Village and its neighboring town Fonton throughout three periodical times (1962, 1985, and present time). Overall, the size area of the village and the town have increased and both areas become one union with Meadownside become a suburb area under Fonton administration. There are also developments in infrastructures such as roads, railways, housing, and business center. In initial year, Meadowside was only a small village with a small road crossing through the village. Located in the east of the village, there was Fonton, a neighboring town with railway running through it. However, there was no road that is channeling both areas. In 1985, the size of both areas increased. The big road was built in this year, being the hub between the village and the town. There were also a development in infrastructure, as housing estate, leisure complex, and superstore were built in Meadowside village. In present time, these two areas eventually merge as one, results in Meadowside became a suburb under Fonton town. They also built some facilities in area between Fonton town and the suburbs, such as hotel and business park. The railway line which once was only running through Fonton now extends to Meadowside as a new station was built around there.

The maps indicate the developments of a village called Meadowside and of a near town called Fonton, over a period started in 1962.

Overall, it can be seen that over the period in question the village and the town were expanded with the addition of a motorway and some facilities. Nowadays, Fonton and Meadowside are connected to each other.

In 1962 the village covered a small area and was crossed by a small street. In the following thirteen years it was improved, with the additions of a leisure complex, a housing estate and a super-store. Also Fonton was expanded and the two sites, in 1985, were connected with a motorway, which crossed both of them, from west to east.

Now, Meadowside and Fonton share only one area. To the west, there are Meadowside suburbs and to the east there is Fonton. The most noticeable additions are the hotel which is collocated between them in the north of the area, the station, built along the motorway and the business park.

Keep up the good job ✊Your explanation is liked me 😉

The rendered map illustrates the information about the improvments in town namely frenton in 32 years between 1990 to 2012.

Overall, it can be clearly seen from the map that there were tremendous changes after three decades in frenton. Se buldings had been improved. At the outset , school and library were only buildings which stay unchanged and in west side of high street . Trees were cut down to set up a techpark in left bottom side of town, further more , there was a bank beside the school was converted to restaurant . Hospital in the centre had been axpanded . Proceeding further , bottom playing feild with trees was demolished in order to make blocks of flates , new flats also opened alongside high street . Houses were changed to flats. There were cafe and park in east side of town which were improved into hotel and golf course . Theatre and shops were modernized in cimema as well as supermarket in last year

Hey Liz, i just want to know that can we write things in brackets as you have done in introduction, is it accepted in ielts.

Yes, of course. It’s 100% fine and in fact very useful for Writing Task 1. However, don’t overuse them. You need to vary the way you present data. They are mainly useful for line graphs, bar charts, tables and pie charts.

The map shows the different development for three years (1962,1985 and currently) in Meadowside village and Foton, a neighbouring town.

In general, the small road was replaced by big two main roads. One of them running through the Meadoside village and the other crossing the south-east of Foton. The two states have been together in the present and the size of the place was increased. There are more buildings were constructed during the three years.

In 1962, the village was spirited from the other. Also, there were no buildings and connecting the main road between them. The size of tow places was small. However, Foton was bigger than the village.

In 1985, Meadowside village constructed by lot of buildings such as ( i can’t see the names) On the other hand, Foton remains the same thing without any buildings except the size of the place which has been increased during the period.

In the present, the two places become bigger together and the have been untied by a big road accessing the place from the southeast to the southwest. And the other one from the north ending with the previous road. Between the main roads in. northeast there has been built a hotel and a station. So the number of entertainment buildings has been increased.

Hi, Liz, Hope you are safe. I have a doubt about your writing task 1 practise charts.

Which tense to use for the map “an island before and after the construction of some tourist facilities”?

It would depend on the fixed date. If the before date is in the past, you use past tense. If the after date is in our current past, you use past tense. However, if it is in our future, you use the future forms. English grammar rules apply as normal to IELTS.

Thank you, Liz, but there are no dates in the question only before and after. That’s why I’m confused.

Where did you find this question? Which IELTS Cambridge book did you find it in?

Pardon, the section’s name is ” IELTS CHARTS FOR PRACTICE”.

I know the one. You use past tense for “before” and present tense of “after”.

Thank you so much, Liz. Thank you for your valuable time.

Thanks Liz 😍💜

Its clear now Liz . Thankyou so much for quick response and help.

I wanna ask how is this task 1 estimated at band score 9 as it has 200+ words. I read in one of your reply that band score 9 has words between 170 and 190.

Can you please elaborate?

Don’t confuse advice with rules. There is no upper limit for words. However, you should aim for between 160 and 190 words (more or less). Writing more might lead you to add more detail and also increase your chances of making more language errors. You don’t get a particular band score because you have written a particular number of words. As I am fully trained and also a native English speaker, I can get away with reaching slightly over 200, but even so, most of my model answers fall just under 190 words.

Liz thank you so much 😊

Thanks you so much Liz mam ❤️❤️

Dear Liz I heard that there is a new rule of British Council that there should write a conclusion in Writing part 1? Is it true?

No. Writing task 1 is a report and you will see on the band score descriptors published by IELTS that the examiner is looking for an overview. Some people write a conclusion which is actually an overview – that is fine. It is about content and functionality. A conclusion traidtionally contains your opinions summarised – task 1 cannot contain opinions. A conclusion traditionally restates main points – task 1 cannot have repeated information. An overview is the one and only paragraph containing the key features of the task – it can be put after the introduction or at the end – some people put it at the end and call it an conclusion. That is the reason you are confused.

@Liz, which one is the best and good for achieving the IELTS band score. 1. Introduction > Overview > Paragraph 1 > Paragraph 2. 2. Introduction with overview > Paragraph 1 > PParagraph 2 > Conclusion.

I am really so confused between above them. Please share your opinion.

See this page to learn: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/ . Use everything I have written to train yourself. That is the purpose of this site 🙂 The answer is there for you to find 🙂

Is it a must to write a conclusion in Task 1? Many people say, that you lose marks if there is no conclusion paragraph

You are immediately penalised if you do not write a conclusion in task 2. You are also immediately penalised if you do not write an overview in task 1.

I have heard that there should be no conclusion or overview in diagrams of writing task 1

That is completely untrue. ALL writing task 1, for the academic paper, MUST have an Overview.

Liz is considered by me to be perfect teacher for all type of information regarding ielts. Thanks for giving ur precious time to us.🙏🙏

Hi Liz,I just wanna know if it is a band 9 sample ?!

And as i realize from this sample , each paragraph explains about only the related map.I want to know whether we need to compare all the three maps with each other or not.

In writing task 1, you compare when necessary – it is not necessary to compare all things at all times. You task is to write a report which is about reporting features – comparison often only comes in the overview. For a diagram, it sometimes doesn’t come at all. For some bar charts (not all) it is the main feature of the report. Each task type is different.

Hello Mam…some IELTS coaching institutes say that we should write overall in task 1 academci at last instead of after introduction because it also also like a conclusion and we write conclusion always at last…is it okay with this?

There are no fixed rules about this in IELTS. You can choose the position of the overview. However, remember that this is not an essay – it is a report.

This task contain much more words than 150 …i think we are suppose to write upto Maximum 180 word… .

Your task is to write over 150 words. A high band score task 1 will usually have between 170 and 190 words. On the whole, it is best to avoid 200 words plus in order to reduce the density of errors and show the ability to select information.

Dear Liz can we write “Meadowside village has been increased in size” But you have written “Meadowside village increased i size” we can still see that the village has increased.But why didn’t you write it in present perfect passive.Please clarify

Meadowside village increased in size” is correct. You would not choose a passive voice for that statement.

I just watched your Map video Liz, in that you told that we should use the key ( Housing area), (town center) to change into small letters but in this model band 9 sample response it isn’t changed into small letters (meadows and fonton). Pls kindly clarify my doubt. Thanks to YOU

You need to listen much more carefully to my video lessons. I did not say you remove ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. I said you must adapt the headings or labels to make them grammatically correct when you write them in a sentence. The word “Tennis” is usually given with a capital letter in a bar chart, but we do not use a capital letter with that word in an English sentence. The word “Food” might have a capital letter in a graph, but we don’t use it with a capital letter in an English sentence. You need to look at your map or chart and decide which headings must have the capital letter changed to make it grammatically correct in a sentence. Do you understand now?

Hotel has been constructed or hotel has constructed . What is duffernce between both sentences. Is it same meaning? Plz help me 🙏

The first is passive voice. You need to learn when to use it and when to use active voice.

The difference is bellow: someone has constructed the hotel the hotel has been constructed by someone

Writing task 1 I do not feel like writing properl.So learn me

This website is for people learning IELTS skills for a high score. It is not for people struggling with English. If your English level is not strong, you will need to improve your English before you think about IELTS.

Hlw, in this task there are more than 4 paragraphs but in your video you told that there will be 4 paragraphs .. is it fine to write more paragraphs?? I am so confused now

The most common is 4. There is no fixed rule about the number of paragraphs for IELTS writing – only advice. It also depends on the task you are given and the information in the map or graph.

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How to Describe a Map for IELTS Academic Task 1: A Step-by-Step Guide - IELTS Luminary

In the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, describing a map is not just about noting what you see; it's about weaving a narrative that captures the ebb and flow of a landscape's story. As you stand at the threshold of this task, think of it as an opportunity to blend precision with storytelling—a skill that you can refine and perfect with the right guidance. This is where our comprehensive IELTS eBooks and personalized Essay Correction Service come into play, offering a treasure trove of strategies and insights to transform your writing from simple descriptions to compelling narratives.

Get your personalised IELTS Essay Feedback from a former examiner

Download IELTS eBooks , get everything you need to achieve a high band score

Let this guide be your companion, as it takes you through a real IELTS map description task. With each sentence crafted, you'll learn to infuse the rich knowledge from our eBooks and apply the nuanced feedback from our seasoned examiners. Together, they work seamlessly to ensure that every map you describe is not just a collection of changes but a journey through time and transformation, helping you achieve that band 9 score with clarity and confidence.

Key Strategies for a High Band Score in Academic Task 1

Navigating the terrain of IELTS Academic Writing Task 1's map questions can seem like a formidable journey. However, with the compass of well-honed strategies, you can chart a course to a high band score. Here is a deeper exploration into the key strategies that can bolster your map-description prowess:

Start with an Overview

Think of the overview as the compass that orientates your reader. It provides the examiner with a snapshot of the geographical narrative at play. Crafting an overview is like drawing a map; it should outline the significant changes without giving away every detail of the journey. For instance, if the provided maps depict an island before and after the development of tourist facilities, your overview should succinctly highlight this transformation. It's the teaser that sets the stage for the detailed script that is to follow.

Detail the Changes

This is where the magnifying glass comes out, and you delve into the specifics. Each significant alteration to the landscape must be noted. These are not mere annotations on a map; they are the plot points of your story. Whether it’s the construction of new edifices that redefine the skyline, the weaving of pathways that connect previously isolated locales, or the gentle touch-ups to nature’s canvas, every detail contributes to the narrative. Your task is to identify these developments and describe them with precision and relevance, thus demonstrating your keen observational skills.

Use Descriptive Language

Descriptive language is the color with which you fill in your map. Adjectives and adverbs are not just decorative words; they serve as shades and tones that bring the picture to life. They transform a bland "new building" into "a sprawling, sun-drenched complex". Such language not only engages the reader but also showcases your lexical resource – an essential criterion in the IELTS scoring system. It’s about creating a vivid image in the mind’s eye of the examiner, one that goes beyond the black and white outlines of a typical map.

Comparative and Superlative Forms

These grammatical structures are the contour lines on your map; they show the rise and fall of the terrain. Comparative and superlative forms allow you to illustrate the extent of changes. They turn a simple observation into an insight, such as describing a road that was once the least used path and is now the most bustling thoroughfare. This linguistic tool helps articulate the scope and scale of development, providing a clear measure of comparison from the past to the present or projected future.

In the grand tapestry of IELTS map descriptions, these strategies are the threads that interweave to create a cohesive and compelling narrative. They are the difference between a map that merely informs and a description that tells a story, the difference between a satisfactory response and one that secures a high band score.

Core Components of Academic Task 1 Assessment

Diving deeper into the core components of IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 for map descriptions, each element plays a specific role in crafting a response that meets the criteria for a high band score. Understanding these criteria in greater detail can provide a clearer roadmap for achieving success in the exam.

Task Achievement

This is the bedrock of your response. Task achievement measures how effectively you've fulfilled the requirements set out in the prompt. In the context of map descriptions, it's not just about recognizing changes; it's about the accuracy and completeness of your report. Have you identified all significant developments? Have you noted any features that have remained unchanged? It's also about depth—going beyond the surface to analyze and compare features methodically. Your response should demonstrate a clear understanding of the task at hand.

Imagine coherence as the glue that binds your descriptive narrative together. It's the structural integrity of your writing. Coherence ensures that your ideas are not just a collection of random observations but a well-organized cascade of thoughts, each flowing seamlessly into the next. Paragraphing is the framework of this structure, and cohesive devices such as conjunctions, pronouns, and transition words are the connectors that hold the framework together. The goal is to guide the reader through your description with ease, leaving no room for confusion or ambiguity.

The criterion of language is akin to the palette of a painter—the more colors you have and the more skillfully you use them, the more vibrant your painting becomes. In writing, this translates to the range and accuracy of vocabulary and expressions you employ. Descriptive language should be varied and precise, allowing you to depict the maps with richness and detail. Precision in language leads to clarity in communication, which is what the examiner is looking for.

Grammar in your writing is like the rules of physics in the universe; they govern how the elements of language interact with each other. A mix of complex and simple sentences can demonstrate your grammatical range. Accurate usage of these structures conveys clear and logical thought. Moreover, variety in sentence structures can engage the reader and show your language proficiency.

Tenses are the timeline on which your descriptions are placed. Using the correct tense is crucial in map descriptions as it situates the features in time. Past tenses refer to the previous state of the map, present tenses to what is currently there, and future tenses to what is planned or projected. The appropriate use of tenses is not just a grammatical necessity but also a contextual one, as it aligns your descriptions with the temporal aspects of the maps.

Clauses are the building blocks of sentences, and using a variety of them can add complexity and subtlety to your writing. Main clauses make independent statements, while relative and conditional clauses add layers of meaning. For example, a relative clause can provide additional information without the need for a new sentence, contributing to the flow and coherence of your writing. Conditional clauses can introduce hypothetical scenarios, which can be particularly useful if the map includes projected developments.

Integrating these components skillfully in your response is essential for meeting the high standards set by the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. By paying close attention to task achievement, coherence, language, grammar, tenses, and the use of various clauses, you can construct a well-rounded and compelling narrative that is likely to impress the examiners.

With these strategies and points of assessment in mind, let's now proceed to a detailed demonstration using the real exam map question provided.

How to Describe a Map for IELTS Academic Task 1

Question: The two maps below show an island before and after the construction of some tourist facilities. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

island before and after construction ielts academic task 1 - ielts luminary

1. Paraphrasing the Question Statement

The IELTS map question presents two different periods of an area to examine the alterations made over time. Your initial paragraph should rephrase this prompt without altering its meaning. For instance:

"The maps illustrate the changes that have taken place on an island following the introduction of tourist facilities."

Using synonyms and restructured sentences here is crucial for demonstrating linguistic competence.

2. Providing an Overview

Your second paragraph should offer a snapshot of the main changes observed without going into detail. This sets the stage for your more detailed comparison later on. An effective overview might read:

"At a glance, the island has transformed from a barren landscape to a bustling tourist hub, with significant developments including accommodation, dining, and recreational areas."

Here, you encapsulate the essence of the transformation, engaging the reader with a clear and broad picture.

3. Comparing and Describing the Maps

The following two paragraphs are where the specifics come to life. Start with the 'before' state:

"Initially, the island was a blank canvas, save for a few palm trees dotted around and a vast beach on the western shore. It was an untouched natural haven, with no signs of human alteration."

Then, move on to the 'after' state:

"In contrast, the current map shows a marked development. A pier now juts into the sea, allowing tourist boats to dock. Paths crisscross the island, leading to various new structures, including a reception, restaurant, and multiple accommodations."

Here, you're painting a picture of the changes, making sure to describe both the additions and the alterations to the existing features. Click here for more band 9 sample answers to this map question.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 map description is an attainable goal with the right approach and tools. By focusing on task achievement, coherence, language variety, grammatical accuracy, appropriate use of tenses, and sophisticated clause structures, you can greatly enhance the quality of your response. For those eager to elevate their skills further, our comprehensive eBooks provide a wealth of strategies and examples to guide you through. Additionally, our personalized Essay Correction Service offers tailored feedback, helping you refine your writing to meet the high standards of IELTS. Together, these resources can be invaluable allies on your journey to IELTS success.

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Academic Task 1 Tips & Strategies

IELTS academic writing task 1 maps lesson

How to write about maps in ielts..

Updated: June 2024

Maps often show up in IELTS academic writing task 1. There are different types of maps and the most common is the past and present (this task below) or sometimes both maps may be in the past. There are also maps which show proposals for the future such as a redevelopment scheme.

You will need to use specific vocabulary in this task and the grammar needed would be the past tense (was /were), the present perfect passive to describe change and prepositions . You also have to use specific language that shows location and change.

The structure for writing task 1

Click the blue button to see the structure for all IELTS task 1 academic tasks.

Key vocabulary to use for describing maps

Example sentences:

Note that the grammar used to describe changes is in the passive and these sentences are in the past tense, which describe 2 maps in the past.

The offices were demolished and the surrounding area was redeveloped with a new leisure centre opening up .
The shopping centre was extended and the parking area was enlarged to accommodate more cars
The trees 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 modernised 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.

Vocabulary for showing location

When describing the location of something on a map that has a compass symbol you should use phrases like:

to the north of
to the east of
in the west
to the south of
north-west of

Prepositions are essential when describing the location on a map, such as:

from north to south
from east to west
across from
The trees to the north of the river were cut down and a new office block has been built .
A railway was constructed to the east of the housing estate to make way for a new train station.
The forest to the west of the park was cut down and a new housing complex has been constructed.
The industrial area to the south-west of the station was expanded.
The shopping centre in the south of the city is planned to be demolished and a new stadium is expected to be built.

Prepositions:

Houses were constructed next to the primary school.
The forest near the river was cut down.
A new railway running from north to south has been built.
The footpath by the river has been expanded.
Parking facilities were added to the city centre.
The school across from the park was extended and new sports facilities were built.

Vocabulary for describing change over time

When describing change, the present perfect and the present perfect passive is often used. Time phrases are also used such as: over the 20 year period, from 1990 to 2000, over the years, in the last 10 years, in the years after 1990 and so on.

The present perfect and the present perfect passive shows that something started in the past up until the present moment (or near present)

Examples: has witnessed big changes / has become more industrialised / has been built/ has been modernised

Theses sentences below are often used to give an overview of the main differences between the two maps.

Over the 20 year period , the area has witnessed big changes especially to the farmland areas which were redeveloped.
From 1990 to 2010 a new housing estate was constructed where a school once stood.
The forests have been cut down and new housing has been built.
In the period from 1990 onward , the leisure facilities were completely renovated.
The city centre has seen dramatic changes over the years .
In the years after 1990 , the city centre was extensively modernised.
The town used to be very green but it has become much more industrialised in the last 15 years.
A new stadium has been built and more sports facilities have been opened up over the years.

The Overview

The overview comes just after the introduction and makes a general statement about the main differences between the maps. The overview is quite short, maybe about 2 or 3 sentences. Do not go into detail in the overview.

In the task below there are 2 maps. The past (1986) and present. In this case, you will need to use the past tense and the present perfect to describe the changes.

Model Answer

‘The two maps below show the changes in the town of Denham from 1986 to the present day. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.’

The maps illustrate the main changes which have taken place in the town of Denham from 1986 to the present moment.

Overall, the town has most notably shown an increase in housing development which indicates a higher population and a move away from agriculture and farming.

One change that stands out is that there has been a significant redevelopment over the whole period. To the east of the river stoke housing now dominates the area of what was once farmland. In 1986 there were shops and just a handful of residential properties. Now there are neither shops nor farmland left, although the post office is still there. The bridge over the river stoke still stands as it did in 1986.

Another noticeable change is that more roads have been built around the housing complex. Additionally, the gardens that were in front of the large house in 1986 have been removed and the house has been expanded and converted into a retirement home. The primary school still stands and has been extended in the decades since.

(175 words)

Aim for around 170 to 190 words in this task. You will not have time to go into a long report and you need to be selective in writing task 1.

Any questions? leave a comment below.

Also take a look at the instagram page-> click here to see it ., 1 thought on “ielts academic writing task 1 maps lesson”.

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IELTS with Mark Teacher

How to write ielts task 1 academic ‘map diagrams’.

There are 3 main types of diagrams in Writing Task 1 Academic: a.) Dynamic graphs b.) Static graphs c.) Diagrams (Maps, Processes ) <– we’re talking about maps

In this post I will show you how to write about Map Diagrams.

Already know how to write about Maps in IELTS? Send me your essays for in-depth feedback in 72 hours.

IELTS essay check task 1 correction service feedback

Fortunately, the essay structure for every type of Task 1 is basically the same.

Structure: Task 1 – Academic 4 paragraphs 1.) Summary / Introduction 2.) Overview 3.) Body 1 4.) Body 2

how to write IELTS maps Task 1 ebook pdf mark teacher

What are Map Diagrams?

Map Diagrams can be a few different things.

Map diagrams can be 1 or 2 images of indoor spaces, such as offices:

How to write IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic Map Diagram essays with Mark Teacher

They can also be the exterior layout of a building, such as a shopping centre, road network, or even an entire town.

Map diagrams always show changes to a place. These can be finished changes. You can see finished changes in the tasks above and below:

However, IELTS Task 1 Writing map diagrams can be about potential future changes to a place. For example:

Another example of proposed future changes :

In this blog post we will look at how to approach all kinds of IELTS Writing Task 1 map diagrams, paragraph-by-paragraph.

1.) Map Diagram Introduction / Summary

The introduction paragraph in Task 1 only needs to be 1 or 2 sentences. Like all IELTS Writing Task 1 essays, your introduction should present the main purpose of the graph to the reader in your own words. This means paraphrasing the official IELTS diagram description if you can.

Obviously, a diagram is very different from a graph, so we will need quite different language. However, similarly to Dynamic Graphs, map diagrams also feature changes .

You should change your grammar depending on if the changes have already happened , or if they are expected to happen in the future.

Here is a language table to help you make some summaries / introduction paragraphs in your own IELTS Task 1 Writing essays.

– The diagram depicts…

– The map details…

– The images illustrate…

– The plans show …

– the that have taken place in Ashford since 2010.

– the between Ashford in 2010 and today.

– the that have been made to the floor plan of an office building between 2005 and the present.

– …the town centre of Islip now and the changes for it.

– …the areas of a flood-affected town now and two solutions that could help those areas avoid flooding in the future.

The images illustrate + the changes that have been made to the floor plan of an office building between 2005 and the present.
The pair of diagrams depict + the differences between an office floor plan in 2005 and now.

The two diagrams depict + the town centre of Islip now and the suggested – planned – proposed changes.
The images illustrate + Islip town centre as it is now and the proposed / suggested – planned developments for it in the future.

You try! – Write an introduction sentence for this map diagram task. Use the table above to help you.

The plans show the site of an airport now and how it will look after redevelopment next year.

The images show … the layout of an airport now and the proposed changes to it after a development project.
The two diagrams depict … an airport site in the present and the suggest redevelopments to it in the future.

2.) Map Diagram Overview

The purpose of the overview paragraph is to give a short summary of the main features. In Map Diagrams, the main features can include:

New structures / areas
Moved structures / areas
Expanded structures / areas
Reduced or removed structures / areas

There are two approaches you can take to Map Diagram overviews – or you can combine them together. You can describe the main features with adjectives (larger / smaller / more spacious / more developed) or you can generally describe the literal physical changes (number of rooms, names of new areas and structures.

To describe generally I try to avoid giving specific locations (north / east etc.). I save these for Body 1 and Body 2. To generalise, I also give the group names of things and places, such as, ‘new housing’, ‘office equipment’, and ‘new transport facilities’, if I can.

changes:

Overall, we can see that ...

Overall, we can see that … .

Overall, we can see that …

Overall, we can see that…

Overall, we can see that… has been moved to the opposing side of the office.

Overall, we can see that…

Here are some examples of Map Diagram overviews using the tasks you saw earlier:

Main Features :

New: sofa and coffee table | coffee machine, water cooler
Bigger / Smaller: main room bigger, combined
Moved : armchairs, noticeboard
Removed: small office room on left gone
Other: top left room the same

a. Overall, we can see that the office now features fewer rooms and is more open-plan compared to the past . Some furniture has been rearranged, while some new office equipment and appliances have also been added.

b. Overall, we can see that the updated office plan contains a larger shared area with some new or rearranged furniture , while some other changes to the position of office equipment have been made.

Main Features:

New: dual carriageway | bus station, shopping centre, car park, new housing
Bigger / Smaller: x
Removed: shops on north side of main road
Other: main road > pedestrian zone

a. Overall, we can see that a wide range of new developments are planned for Islip town centre, such as more extensive road networks and new housing projects . The suggested changes also include a pedestrianised area and improved traffic access via a bus station and a car park .

b. Overall, we can see that a considerable transformation has been planned for the town centre, including a new ring road and a pedestrian area , as well as a wide range of new transport facilities and even new housing.

You try! – Write an overview paragraph for this map diagram task. Use the table above to help you. The main features have been highlighted for you.

Main Features:

New: gates +10 | sky train | ATM, car hire, cafe in arrivals, bag drop and shops in departures
Bigger / Smaller: new doors +2 (4 total)
Moved: cafe and check-in in departures
Removed: walkway to gates
Other: security, passport control customs all the same

a. Overall, we can see that … the plans for the airport’s redevelopment include significant expansion in the number of gates, passenger amenities and transport options.

My Maps eBook unlocks all the secrets to writing correct, advanced and high-band overviews. Click here to get this 19-page guide or click the picture.

3.) Body Paragraphs

Next are the Body paragraphs of your Task 1 report. You can write 2 or 3 Body paragraphs.

Body paragraphs describe the main features of the diagram in detail, including their location (either specifically or in relation to other structures or natural areas on the map). You can also write in detail about any old structures that have been replaced or moved.

In terms of grammar, we are never told who has made or will make the changes on the diagram, so Map Diagrams often require the passive voice.

Here is a language and grammar table you can use to write body paragraphs. Again, the grammar changes if you are talking about finished changes or future changes .

- Many changes

– Several new buildings and significant infrastructure projects

– [Area / Furniture / Equipment]

– [Area /Structure / Equipment]

– [Old] [New].

– A new [area/structure] to …

– [Old] [New]

– [New] [Old]

– [Area/Structure]

– There is a new [area/structure]

Here are the Body 1 and Body 2 paragraphs of the example map diagrams from before, staring with the f inished changes map diagram :

Introduction: The images illustrate the changes that have been made to the floor plan of an office building between 2005 and the present.

Overview: Overall, we can see that the office now features fewer rooms and is more open-plan compared to the past. Some furniture has been rearranged, while some new office equipment and appliances have also been added.

Body 1: (Biggest change) One of the key changes involves the removal of two small rooms on the western and north eastern sides of the office. It appears that the desks, chairs and cabinets have been removed from both small rooms, and now sit in the north eastern corner of the office to create a larger meeting area.

Body 2: (Big change – last paragraph already long enough) As a result, the main room by the entrance has expanded into an open area with a new sofa and table, while the armchairs and noticeboard have been relocated from the eastern to the western side beside the new furniture. A new water cooler and coffee machine seem to service this new area as well.

Body 3: (Exception / Contrast) Lastly, however, the corner office in the north-western corner of the office remains virtually unchanged from any of the rearrangements, remaining in its 2005 layout.

Here is the full example essay of the future changes map diagram:

Introduction: The images illustrate Islip town centre as it is now and the proposed developments for it in the future.

Overview: Overall, we can see that … a considerable transformation has been planned for the town centre, including a new ring road and a pedestrian area, as well as a wide range of new transport facilities and even new housing.

Body 1: Starting with the most obvious development, a new dual carriageway is planned to circle around the northern and southern edges of Islip town centre. This is seemingly intended to replace the main road running through the town centre, which in turn is set to be turned into a pedestrianised area.

Body 2: Focusing more on the city centre itself, a raft of new facilities are intended. While the current row of shops will remain, a new bus station, shopping centre and car park are going to be built on the north side of the old main road. In addition, new housing will also be built on the eastern side of town, with another housing project planned beside the park in the southeastern part of town.

You try! – Write the body paragraphs for this map diagram task. Use the examples above to help you.

New: gates +10 | sky train | ATM, car hire, cafe in arrivals, bag drop and shops in departures
Bigger / Smaller: new doors +2 (4 total)
Moved : cafe and check-in in departures
Removed: walkway to gates
Other: security, passport control customs all the same

Introduction: The images show the layout of an airport now and the proposed changes to it after a development project.

Overview: Overall, we can see that after its development, the airport will host considerably more gates, as well as more food and travel amenities for both arriving and departing passengers.

Body 1: Beginning with the most notable proposal, the number of gates in the airport is set to receive a substantial increase, from 8 at present, to 18 after renovations are completed. To seemingly accommodate an expected increase in passengers, the walkway to the gates will be replaced by a new skytrain, and the amount of doors at the entrance will be doubled from 2 to 4 across departures and arrivals.

Body 2: In addition, before security, customs and passport control, which will remain in the same place, the amount of facilities will increase significantly. This will include a new cafe in arrivals, as well as an ATM and a care hire kiosk. A bag drop is also set to be added at departures, with new shops planned for departing passengers after they have gone through security and passport control.

There you go! A high-band approach, several examples and a reliable framework for you to use in your own IELTS Writing test.

Questions? Write them in a comments below.

Want to show me what you’ve learnt from this guide? Send me your IELTS Writing Task 1 Essays for detailed feedback:

If you still want more guidance and advice about IELTS Maps, I highly recommend my IELTS Maps eBook. It’s full of high-band grammar and vocabulary structures that you can’t find on my website, custom-made maps to help you tackle the most common types of maps in IELTS and much more! Click here or the picture to see more about this download PDF.

<– Back to Task 1 Academic example essays and lessons.

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In this post, we will look at how to structure your essay for this type of question, how to describe both the general and specific changes, vocabulary and sample answers.

These questions will require you to show your knowledge of vocabulary and grammar, using the correct tense . You will also use the passive in your writing.

Writing Task 1 – Maps Essay Structure >>

Paragraph 2 – Overview of the main features

Write about the specific details that you can see – looking closely at the main features and include detail, then make any comparisons if relevant.

Describing Changes To A Map >>

The maps are normally labelled for you, with buildings, features and sometimes locations. Below is an example of how to describe changes ;

Since 2010, all of the buildings on the Liverpool John Moores University campus have changed. There are quite a few improvements to both buildings and access.

Providing More Detail >>

how to describe general changes >>.

TIP >> Remember that you must report the information you see objectively, you don’t give your opinions or any extra unnecessary information.

How To Describe Locations >>

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Ielts Map Writing

IELTS Map Writing

With IELTS map writing, you often have to describe how a map has changed over a period of time.

If you have two maps, one in the past and one from the present day or just later in time, then you need to make sure that you describe each one, and refer to each feature that is evident on the maps and how it has (or has not) changed.

For IELTS map writing, important language when it is something like a city, town, or region, is the language of location, such as 'north' or 'south west' etc.

Sample Answer

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourist facilities.

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

Write at least 150 words.

Model IELTS Map Writing Answer

The maps illustrate the changes that have occurred on an island due to the building of facilities for tourists.

The island originally consisted of just palm trees and the beach, yet now, although the palm trees remain, it hosts a wealth of attractions for holiday makers, from restaurants and swimming to accommodation.

The island is approximately 200 metres long, with a small beach on the western tip. It was deserted before, with only a scattering of palm trees. Now though, there is an abundance of places to stay in the form of fifteen beach huts situated in circular patterns in the centre of the island and to the west.

Between these two sets of accommodation there is also a new large restaurant and a reception building, both served by new vehicle tracks. Situated in the south is a t-shaped pier for ships to dock, and sailing boats are now evident in this area of the sea. Footpaths have also been constructed, which traverse the island, leading to the new buildings and also the beach, where tourists can now swim.

(177 Words)

This IELTS map writing answer would score highly in IELTS.

It meets the requirements of the task as both maps are explained and all the features and changes are highlighted.

The introduction clearly sets out what the map is about (paraphrasing and not copying from the prompt) and then there is an overview of some of the key changes.

It is well-organised into clear paragraphs, with the first detail paragraph setting out how the island used to look, and how it now has a lot of accommodation. The final paragraph then describes all the rest of the changes.

There is a good mix of vocabulary with some good language use and collocations, for example:

originally consisted of
hosts a wealth of attractions
the western tip
abundance of
circular patterns
traverse the island

There is also good evidence of complex structures and forms, seen for example in complex sentences ( 'although', 'though', 'which', and 'where' ), passive voice ( Footpaths have also been constructed ) and nominalisation ( Situated in the south is a... ).

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More on IELTS Maps:

IELTS Map Practice: Learn and practice the language of location

This IELTS map practice exercise improves your skills in the language of location for maps. Choose the correct word to fit in the gap.

IELTS Map Writing Task 1 Sample: Describing changes to a town

Sometimes may be asked to describe an IELTS map in task 1 of the IELTS Test. This is a map of Brandfield with two proposed sites for a shopping mall. There is a model answer.

IELTS Task 1 Map: Describing each map in turn and using tenses

For an IELTS task 1 map you often have to compare a past map with a present map. This is an IELTS map sample answer for this type of question.

IELTS Map Sample: Organising the map by features / items

In this IELTS map sample for writing task 1 you have to describe the differences presented in a plan of a park.

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Map With Model Answer

Pen and highlighters over blank IELTS writing map - image by Magoosh

Some IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 questions present a map, which you’ll need to describe and explain. To give you a better idea of how to approach this Task 1 question type, we’ll show you a practice question with a model band 9 essay .

To see why this essay is band 9, see our Band 9 essay with scorer commentary , and check out the official IELTS rubric for Task 1 (PDF) .

This particular prompt is an IELTS map . Your approach to this map should be the same as your approach to any other Task 1 infographic. Take a look at the information and think carefully. What is the best way to summarize the way the information is structured and the main points? From there, how can you best compare the most relevant pieces of information? Finally, how should you structure that summary and comparison? For more advice on how to approach this, see our article on IELTS Academic Task 1 paragraph structure , as well as our main page for IELTS sample questions and practice resources .

Try to do this prompt yourself. Then check out our band 9 model essay below the prompt and compare it to your own work to see how you did.

Model IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Prompt: Describe a Map

The diagrams below show changes that have taken place in the Sawry District neighbourhood since 1920.

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

Model Essay

This pair of maps depicts change over the course of a century in the Sawry District neighborhood by showing the area in 1920 and 2020.

The overall change in the neighborhood is one of growth. By 2020 there are more businesses, more housing, and greater public services. However, not all businesses and services remained intact after 1920.

Business and housing saw the most change and growth. The cannery present in 1920 was replaced by an office complex. Two of the houses near the Elmwood River were demolished and replaced by a road and an apartment complex. Oak Avenue went from having two houses and a shop to having three houses, two shops, an apartment complex, and a petrol station.

The change in public services was less significant than the change in housing and businesses. Prestwich Primary School was demolished and then rebuilt as a bigger school, closer to Oak Street’s shops. And Elmwood River gained a bridge and a bike path, the latter of which replaced the small beach seen on the 1920 map.

More Practice IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Sample Questions with Model Essays

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Process Diagram with Model Answer
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Bar Chart With Model Answer
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Line Graph with Model Answer
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Pie Chart with Model Answer
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Comparing two Graphics with Model Answer

Also, make sure you are prepared for the entire Writing section. Click here for a page full of IELTS Writing resources .

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2 responses to “IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Map With Model Answer”

The maps illustrate how the Sawry district neighborhood changed over a period of a century from 1920 to 2020. Overall, the change in the neighborhood developed and had more business, housing, and greater public services by 2020. However, some businesses were not same after 1920. Business and housing contributed the most to the development. An office complex took over the place of the cannery of 1920. Due to the expansion of the road to the Elmwood river, two of the housing complexes were knocked down and added with a brand-new apartment complex. The number of housing and shops rose at the Oak Avenue. Though the development in public services was not as drastic as housing and business, the Prestwitch primary school was relocated and built a bigger one affecting some of the woods near the shop area. A petrol station was installed at the place of the former small primary school close to the miller’s lake. A bridge was constructed across the Elmwood river to connect the Sawry district to the other part of the city. A bike path at the bank of the river took over the small beach seen a century before.

The map depicts the transformation of a neighbourhood in Sawry district over a century, specifically from 1920 to 2020.

The district experienced prominent changes in the timeframe resulting in newer infrastructure, relocation of pre-existing businesses and demolitions.

Tulebug bros. cannery was situated on the Northwest of the Oak avenue in the year 1920, with a few houses set northeast near the beach by the elmwood river. The southern region of oak avenue had a primary school named Prestwich with fewer houses than the northern area, with the inclusion of a shop.

By 2020, this northern area was altered dramatically, with the replacement of the Cannery by Yang office complex and additionally on the northeastern bend, a bridge was constructed over the Elmwood river and a bike path underneath, just by the river bank where the beach was previously situated.

Additionally, the southern region of the district changed as well, with the relocation and development of the Prestwich primary school, and inclusion of a petrol station where it used to be. Apartment complexes were established, which was new to the community and an additional shop to possibly meet the demands of the growing neighborhood.

How to dominate the IELTS writing task 1 map essay?

At the same time, you need to make the most of proper verb tenses to illustrate the improvements or changes of the objects on map. In this article, information on IELTS Writing Task 1 Map together with steps and tips will be provided for you to dominate this question type.

1. An overview of IELTS Writing Task 1 Map

Unlike other types of questions in IELTS Writing Task 1, IELTS Map has no figures or numbers to analyse. Instead, there will be one or more maps with features overtime that need to be written to illustrate the changes between the maps.

Generally, there are three typical kinds of map question including:

One map in the present
Two maps (one in the present and one in the future)
Two maps (one in the past and one in the present)

To be specific, the first kind of map question hardly appears because it is impossible to make any comparison in only one map. The examiners normally focus on the other two types of map that requires you to combine the use of two different verb tenses. Whereas the second type of map asks you to use the present and future tenses to exhibit the development or transformation proposed in the future, the third type comes up most frequently and requires you to use the present and past tenses.

You will need to report main features and make comparisons of maps in approximately 20 minutes with 150 and over words on this IELTS Map essay. Appropriate vocabulary and grammar structures also need to be taken into consideration.

Following are some examples of IELTS Writing Task 1 Map:

If you are planning to take the IELTS, let’s start practicing with our free IELTS online test to get ready for your exam.

2. Structure of IELTS Writing Task 1 Map

Still followed the three-part structure, IELTS Writing Task 1 Map still includes four separate paragraphs:

2.1. Introduction

With the paraphrasing technique, you will rewrite the map question given in one or two sentences with these following information:

Type of diagram (map)
Main topic (the development of the village)
Place (Ryemouth)
Time period (between 1995 and present)

e.g. The map shows how a village called Ryemouth has developed over the last twenty-five years.

2.2. Overview

In one to three sentences only, you need to point out the general changes between the two maps. You can base on these questions to find out noticable differences:

Are the changes dramatic or insignificant?
Are there more or fewer residential areas on the map?
Are there fewer or more trees?
Are there fewer or more rural areas?
Are there any noticeable improvements or developments in infrastructure?
How have the buildings and leisure facilities changed?

e.g. There have been several changes, the most noticeable being the increases in accommodation, the elimination of the fishing industry, and the introduction of sports facilities.

The body part should be divided into two different paragraphs. In each paragraph, you should write three to four sentences to outstand key changes or features in the maps given. You can group the information together depending on:

Time (e.g. paragraph 1: map in the past; paragraph 2: map in the present)
Location (e.g. paragraph 1: industrial areas; paragraph 2: residential areas)

Practice now: IELTS Writing Practice Test

3. Steps to score high in IELTS Writing Task 1 Map essay

3.1. step 1: analyse the map question.

The general IELTS map questions will consist of:

Description of the map

(e.g. The maps below show the village of Stokeford in 1930 and 2010.)

Requirements

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

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

3.2. Step 2: Point out key features and changes

These questions below may help you figure out main characteristics of the map:

What is the time period?
What are notable differences between the two maps?
What are the unchanged features over the time period?

3.3. Step 3: Start to write the IELTS Writing Task 1 Map

Try to follow the structure of four different paragraphs:

Paragraph 1: Introduction
Paragraph 2: Overview
Paragraph 3: 1st key features/changes
Paragraph 4: 2nd key features/changes

4. Tips for IELTS Writing Task 1 Map

Identify the tense you will use based on the dates given on the map For example, one map is labelled in 1997 and another is in the present, this shows us the main tenses should be the past simple and present simple (or present perfect) tenses.
Try to use both active and passive forms flexibly to describe the changes
Make as many comparisons as possible to show the changes and differences between objects and maps
Make use of proper vocabulary for the IELTS map such as describing positions, directions, changes, etc. You can refer to the sample template for Map IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 with vocabulary needed for your IELTS Map report
Make sure you track your word count (more than 150 words) and time limit (around 20 minutes)
Avoid personal points of view while reporting the Map

IELTS Map may be the easiest question type in IELTS Writing Task 1 if you assimilate enough knowledge and practice as much as you can. Also, learning from model sample answers can be a great choice among IELTS learners, and IELTS TEST PRO can be your ideal mobile app and website to learn and practice with manifold tests and blogs. Visit our website or download the app now!

IELTS Task 1 Essay: Building with 3 Maps

by Dave | Sample Answers | 0 Comment

This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of a map of a ground floor in a building and containing 3 maps.

Find my full IELTS Ebooks here .

You can find maps here and line charts here and bar charts here .

The floorplan shows how a building has changed from 1958 to the present day. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the building has served both commercial and residential purposes with the only area remaining unchanged being the kitchen. At present, the flower shop has a more open layout relative to when it was an apartment and office.

In 1958, the building was used as an office with a meeting room in the top left corner of the floorplan, an assistant’s and secretary’s office below there and a toilet in the bottom left corner. In 1985, the meeting room was extended and turned into a living room and a large bathroom and shower took the place of the offices and toilet. The florist shop contained a gift card room in the top left, above a large open space for flowers and a play area in the bottom left corner.

On the right side, the kitchen in the top corner was unaltered across all iterations of the ground floor. In comparison, there was a manager’s office on the right hand side and a reception area in the bottom corner. These spaces were allocated for bedrooms in the apartment and are now an office and additional space for flowers.

1. The floorplan shows how a building has changed from 1958 to the present day. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the building has served both commercial and residential purposes with the only area remaining unchanged being the kitchen. 3. At present, the flower shop has a more open layout relative to when it was an apartment and office.

Paraphrase what the map shows.
Write a clear overview summarising the differences.
Add a second sentence to make sure everything is covered.

1. In 1958, the building was used as an office with a meeting room in the top left corner of the floorplan, an assistant’s and secretary’s office below there and a toilet in the bottom left corner. 2. In 1985, the meeting room was extended and turned into a living room and a large bathroom and shower took the place of the offices and toilet. 3. The florist shop contained a gift card room in the top left, above a large open space for flowers and a play area in the bottom left corner.

Begin writing about the map.
Make sure you compare as much as possible.
Don’t leave anything out.

1. On the right side, the kitchen in the top corner was unaltered across all iterations of the ground floor. 2. In comparison, there was a manager’s office on the right hand side and a reception area in the bottom corner. 3. These spaces were allocated for bedrooms in the apartment and are now an office and additional space for flowers.

Write about the final, other parts of the map – include everything!
Compare the categories.
Add in everything, even what has not changed.

What do the words in bold below mean? Take some notes on a piece of paper to aid your memory:

The floorplan shows how a building has changed from 1958 to the present day . Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the building has served both commercial and residential purposes with the only area remaining unchanged being the kitchen. At present , the flower shop has a more open layout relative to when it was an apartment and office.

In 1958, the building was used as an office with a meeting room in the top left corner of the floor, an assistant’s and secretary’s office below there and a toilet in the bottom left corner . In 1985, the meeting room was extended and turned into a living room and a large bathroom and shower took the place of the offices and toilet. The florist shop contained a gift card room in the top left, above a large open space for flowers and a play area in the bottom left corner.

On the right side, the kitchen in the top corner was unaltered across all iterations of the ground floor . In comparison , there was a manager’s office on the right hand side and a reception area in the bottom corner. These spaces were allocated for bedrooms in the apartment and are now an office and additional space for flowers.

Try to write down or think of an antonym/opposite word for further practice:

floorplan blueprint

from … to the present day starting then up until now

Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall

served both commercial and residential purposes was for business and for living

remaining unchanged was not altered

At present now

open layout lots of space

relative to when compared to the time

meeting room place to meet

top left corner northwest

assistant’s people helping out

secretary’s office below assistant’s working space under that

bottom left corner southwest

extended lengthened

turned into transformed into

took the place of replaced

florist shop contained flower shop has

gift card room place to sell cards

play area where kid’s can play

unaltered across all iterations of the ground floor didn’t change through the years

In comparison compared to that

manager’s boss’s

on the right hand side to the right

reception area area to get help from a receptionist

allocated for made for

additional extra

Pronunciation

Practice saying the words below using this tip with Google voice dictation :

flɔː plæn frɒm … tuː ðə ˈprɛznt deɪ ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv , ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt sɜːvd bəʊθ kəˈmɜːʃəl ænd ˌrɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl ˈpɜːpəsɪz rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ ʌnˈʧeɪnʤd æt ˈprɛznt ˈəʊpən ˈleɪaʊt ˈrɛlətɪv tuː wɛn ˈmiːtɪŋ ruːm tɒp lɛft ˈkɔːnə əˈsɪstənts ˈsɛkrətriz ˈɒfɪs bɪˈləʊ ˈbɒtəm lɛft ˈkɔːnə ɪksˈtɛndɪd tɜːnd ˈɪntuː tʊk ðə pleɪs ɒv ˈflɒrɪst ʃɒp kənˈteɪnd ɡɪft kɑːd ruːm pleɪ ˈeərɪə ʌnˈɔːltəd əˈkrɒs ɔːl ˌɪtəˈreɪʃᵊnz ɒv ðə ɡraʊnd flɔː ɪn kəmˈpærɪsn ˈmænɪʤəz ɒn ðə raɪt hænd saɪd rɪˈsɛpʃᵊn ˈeərɪə ˈæləʊkeɪtɪd fɔː əˈdɪʃənl

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks . Note it on a piece of paper so you can remember better:

The f_________n shows how a building has changed f____m 1958 t _________________ y . L______________________________________________________________t the building has s_____________________________________________s with the only area r_____________________d being the kitchen. A_________________t , the flower shop has a more o _____________________________ n it was an apartment and office.

In 1958, the building was used as an office with a m_________________m in the t______________r of the floor, an a_______________s and s________________________w there and a toilet in the b__________________r . In 1985, the meeting room was e ___________ d and t______________o a living room and a large bathroom and shower t___________________f the offices and toilet. The f______________________d a g__________d room in the top left, above a large open space for flowers and a p__________a in the bottom left corner.

On the right side, the kitchen in the top corner was u______________________________________________________r . I_______________n , there was a m___________s office o___________________e and a r_____________a in the bottom corner. These spaces were a______________r bedrooms in the apartment and are now an office and a_______________l space for flowers.

Listening Practice

Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities :

Reading Practice

Read more and use these ideas to practice:

https://thursd.com/articles/8-floral-shops-from-around-the-world-you-should-visit

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following related questions from the real IELTS speaking exam :

Do you work in an office?
Is it common for people in your country to work in office?
Where do most of your friends work?
Would you like to design an office?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related map below and then check with my sample answer:

IELTS Task 1 Essay: Map of a Museum in 1990 and 2010

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IELTS Essay Samples: IELTS Writing Task Answers To Score Band 9

Last Updated On December 12, 2023
Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

The International English Language Testing System is a regulated and the most common test in the academic world in today’s world. The test assesses candidates’ language abilities in order for them to work or study in countries where English is the primary mode of communication. Writing, Speaking, Reading, and Listening are the four sections of the IELTS exam. The essay writing task is one of two tasks in the IELTS Writing Test. You must produce an essay of at least 150 words for the first task and an essay of at least 250 words for the second task. The Writing Test is graded on four main points; therefore, if you want to generate IELTS Band 9 Essays, you could perhaps try to meet each of them. Task performance, vocabulary, grammatical correctness and coherence are the four grading criteria. Additionally, your own opinion on topics also plays a vital role in your grading.

Table of Content

IELTS Essay Samples: IELTS Writing Task Answers To Score Band 9

Consult IELTS Expert for a Free Personalised Learning Plan

Improve your IELTS speaking score with a 1:1 consultation.

IELTS Essay Types

It is critical to practise all of the essay writing types so that they are simple to undertake on exam day. Some of the most prevalent sorts of essays in IELTS are given here as follows:

The argumentative essay
The essay about the problem and its solution
The essay on debate
Essay on the benefits and drawbacks
The compare and contrast essay

IELTS Essays – Common Topics

There are a few themes that frequently feature in the IELTS task, and understanding these topics makes studying vocabulary much easier. Health , Humans , Environmental protection , Social Media , Travel , Advertisement , Employment , and Education are the most common subjects covered in IELTS Writing and Speaking.

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Band 9 Essay Structure

Knowing how to format your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is a crucial skill that might be the difference between receiving the band score you deserve and not receiving it.

Introductory Paragraph
Frame the question in your own words.
Give your viewpoint and a summary of the important points.
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence related to the topic.
Explain the sentence further.
Give an example.
Main Body Paragraph 2
Provide a summary of the important elements and a personal perspective.

IELTS Band 9 Essay Samples

Explore all countries, sample essay 1, look at the model answer for a common essay topic below:.

Students today should be taught about financial literacy in schools to survive in today’s environment. How much do you disagree or agree with this statement? Give explanations for your answer and any examples from your expertise or experience that are relevant. At least 250 words are required. Ans: Students begin to evaluate poetry, calculate using mathematics, and comprehend how photosynthesis occurs in schools, but when they enter the real world after graduation, they are often uneducated and powerless. As a result, it is suggested that kids should be taught how to make a living in the real world. However, this is a difficult subject. Many educators feel that a school should educate pupils with subjects that they will almost certainly not see again after graduation so that teachers can produce open-minded and well-informed students. Simultaneously, it might be claimed that schools should teach skills that are useful in everyday life. Maths, for instance, is meant to educate students about practical mathematical knowledge and rationality. Schools, on the other hand, are meant to prepare children for life after high school. This goal is currently unmet, as many students seem unable to manage their finances responsibly and hence experience severe difficulties. This could be changed by schools that teach adolescents how to manage their finances. This major shift in educational thinking is unlikely to occur very soon, as the schooling institution has been in existence for far too long to be readily modified. A shift of this magnitude would also be expensive, as teachers would need to be taught, and a curriculum for this potential subject would need to be developed. However, in certain countries, such as Germany, a public subject where politics and finances are discussed is provided. As a result, German students will be better positioned to manage their funds. Finally, financial education for school pupils would be beneficial. Adding additional content to the curriculum would cost a lot of money, but it would ultimately benefit the community if children were better equipped for adult life.

Sample Essay 2

Have a look at the following model answer about the legalisation of all drugs:.

Some individuals believe that legalising all drugs will resolve the issue of illegal drugs. What amount of time do you happen to agree or disagree with this? Give explanations for your answer and any examples from your expertise or experience that are relevant. At least 250 words are required. Ans: In today’s world, illegal drugs have grown to be a global problem. Drug trafficking is common in almost every country, and the population of people who use drugs is large all over the world. To overcome the problems related to recreational drugs, it has been recommended that they all be made legal. I agree with this suggestion in part because I see numerous benefits while also seeing many cons and disadvantages. The number of illicit acts to obtain these medications would reduce if they were made legal. As a result, relatively few people would be jailed and will have a criminal background that hindered their advancement in life. In addition, critical government resources would be spared to be used elsewhere. Finally, the government may levy a high tax rate on the wealthy. Finally, substantial taxes on legal products could be levied, allowing governments to allocate more money to improve their countries’ infrastructure. Even though outlawing most illegal drugs could have a number of positive consequences, it could also have a number of negative consequences. As a result of decriminalisation, I believe that drug users will become more accepted and that people will become less concerned about the harm that drugs do. Schools may no longer teach young people and adolescents about the detrimental impact drugs have on individuals, leading to an increase in the number of kids who experiment with drugs because they believe it is a normal part of life. Social media and social networking sites, such as Facebook or Twitter, further strengthen this belief of theirs due to the sensitisation of drugs online. This may lead to a greater number of drug addicts and possibly more deaths. Finally, I slightly agree with the recommended action. Nevertheless, I believe that drug users should be restricted by age because if all illegal drugs are legalised, teens and adolescents might quickly become addicted. Because this segment of the population in today’s world is in such a great danger of being addicted to drugs and dying as a result of their use, they should only be permitted to do so after reaching a particular age.

IELTS Writing Evaluation Criteria

When calculating your band score for IELTS writing assessments, the following factors are considered:

Task completion – To what level does the interviewee approach all aspects of the task with a well-developed viewpoint, including fully expanded and well-supported ideas?
Clarity and cohesiveness – Does the candidate sensibly structure the information and thoughts? Is the essay coherent, with a logical flow of ideas?
Lexical resources – To what extent does the examinee accurately use a wide variety of vocabulary? Do they employ lexical items with a high level of sophistication?
Variety of grammatical structures and grammatical accuracy – Does the examinee employ a variety of grammatical structures correctly? The use of complicated phrases with complex clauses instead of simple sentences with a repeated pattern is an example of this. Proper grammar is a must in the academic writing task.

Conclusion

The above examples demonstrate how to write a flawless IELTS essay for an excellent score. LeapScholar is available to assist you in learning more about the subject. Thousands of students have benefited from our assistance in obtaining admission to top institutions in countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Get in touch with us if you have any questions about higher education overseas.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what is the recommended word count and number of paragraphs in the writing section of the ielts.

Task 1 requires up to four paragraphs totalling 150 words; Task 2 requires 4-6 paragraphs, totalling at least 250 words (depending on the number of themes).

2. What if I do not manage to write 150 or 250 words for an IELTS essay?

As a result, you will receive a penalty, and your overall IELTS Writing score will be reduced by at least half a band.

3. What factors go into calculating IELTS Writing scores?

The examiner will focus on four main ideas: (1) how well you answer the issue in general; (2) how well you connect ideas inside the article; (3) the variety and precision of language you use; (4) the variety and quality of language structures you utilise.

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Latest IELTS questions in Saudi Arabia – August 2024 (General Training)

Recent IELTS exams
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Latest IELTS General Training Saudi Arabia Latest Questions August 2024

Thanks to the generosity of one of our students, here are the latest questions from his General Training IELTS exam. Use them to prepare effectively and know what to expect in your upcoming test.

IELTS Writing Test – General Training

Writing task 1 (a letter)

You stayed at a hotel to attend a company meeting and you were dissatisfied with your stay. Write a letter to the meeting organiser. In your letter

– Provide the details of your meeting – Explain what you were dissatisfied with – Suggest what the hotel should do to resolve the issue.

Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir / Madam,

Writing task 2 (an essay)

In many countries nowadays traditional customs are being lost. Why this is happening? How could schools and parents help to keep them alive?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

How to Write a Complaint Letter to a Hotel Manager

Start with a polite greeting: “Dear Sir/Madam”.
Introduce the purpose of your letter: you are writing to express your dissatisfaction with a recent meeting held at their hotel.
Provide details of the meeting: the date, time, and purpose of the meeting, to give context.
Describe the problems you faced: poor service, inadequate facilities, or any particular incidents that occurred.
Express your dissatisfaction: how these issues affected your stay and why they are unacceptable.
Request resolution: what you expect the hotel to do to rectify the situation. Some good options could include a refund, compensation, or improved services in the future.
Closure: Thank the organiser for their attention and express hope for a prompt resolution.
Sign off correctly: “Yours faithfully,” followed by your name.

IELTS test in Saudi Arabia – January 2024 (General Training) Thanks to our kind subscriber MA, here are the Writing...
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IMAGES

IELTS Writing Task 1 Map Essay
How to Describe Maps for IELTS Writing Task 1
How To Write an IELTS Map Essay
The EASIEST way to write an IELTS map essay
IELTS writing task 1 Maps lesson, IELTS maps. IELTS academic
IELTS Task 1 Map: Describing each map in turn and using tenses

COMMENTS

IELTS Map
You are required to write about the changes you see between the maps. There are 5 steps to writing a high-scoring IELTS map essay: 1) Analyse the question. 2) Identify the main features. 3) Write an introduction. 4) Write an overview. 5) Write the details paragraphs. I must emphasise the importance of steps 1 and 2.
How to Describe Maps for IELTS Writing Task 1
In that regard, it is quite different from task 2. Maps are used in IELTS because they require you to describe the physical layout of a location in addition to showing changes over time. Normally, you will be given two maps of the same area and you will be asked to explain what changes have occurred. It is really important to know this because ...
IELTS Writing Task 1 Maps Lesson
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. Over the period, the area witnessed dramatic changes. From 1995 to 2005, the city centre saw spectacular ...
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
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. Question 1. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
Writing Task 1 Map
In task 1 of the academic writing component of the IELTS exam, you may be asked to describe a map or plan. The diagram will be of a building, street, village, city or town plan that may ask you to contrast the past and present, or the present and future. There will also be a key that explains different locations on the map or a reference to ...
IELTS Writing Maps: Model Answer, Tips & Vocabulary
The IELTS Map question is a comparison of three maps in different time periods for the academic writing task 1. TIPS FOR IELTS MAPS: WRITING Task 1. Below are useful tips and techniques for writing a high band score writing task 1 map. Types of IELTS Maps. There are a variety of maps that you can get in IELTS Writing Task 1 test: Changes in Towns
How to Describe an IELTS Writing Task 1 Map
How to write a map essay in IELTS involves a simple 5 step process: 1. Get Fluent in Basic IELTS Map Vocabulary. Develop your skills and knowledge for words that describe places, where places are located in relation to each other, and how places change in IELTS Writing maps.
How to Describe a Map for IELTS Academic Task 1
Learn in detail how to describe a map for IELTS academic task 1. This in-depth article help you gain expert insights into achieving a high score in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, providing an example from a real test question. You can master the art of task achievement, coherence, and grammatical precision using our top-rated IELTS eBooks and Essay Correction Service.
IELTS Task 1 Map: Describing each map in turn and using tenses
Comments. This IELTS task 1 map would receive a high score. The map has a clear overall progression and organisation as it is introduced, the main features are identified, then it clearly compares the first map with the second.. There is a mix of vocabulary, with the right language of location used to say where things were positioned and the language of comparison and contrast used to good ...
IELTS academic writing task 1 maps lesson
Updated: June 2024. Maps often show up in IELTS academic writing task 1. There are different types of maps and the most common is the past and present (this task below) or sometimes both maps may be in the past. There are also maps which show proposals for the future such as a redevelopment scheme. You will need to use specific vocabulary in ...
How to write IELTS Task 1 Academic 'Map Diagrams'
1.) Map Diagram Introduction / Summary. The introduction paragraph in Task 1 only needs to be 1 or 2 sentences. Like all IELTS Writing Task 1 essays, your introduction should present the main purpose of the graph to the reader in your own words. This means paraphrasing the official IELTS diagram description if you can.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
How To Describe Locations >> When describing where things are on the map, it is better to use north, south, east, west, rather than say to the right or to the left.For example; The library to the north-west of the campus was renovated.; The admin building to the south-east of the campus was relocated.; The small car park to the north-east of the campus was redeveloped into a lecture theatre.
IELTS Map Writing: Using the language of location
If you have two maps, one in the past and one from the present day or just later in time, then you need to make sure that you describe each one, and refer to each feature that is evident on the maps and how it has (or has not) changed. For IELTS map writing, important language when it is something like a city, town, or region, is the language ...
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Map With Model Answer
Some IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 questions present a map, which you'll need to describe and explain. To give you a better idea of how to approach this Task 1 question type, we'll show you a practice question with a model band 9 essay.. To see why this essay is band 9, see our Band 9 essay with scorer commentary, and check out the official IELTS rubric for Task 1 (PDF).
IELTS Writing Task 1
Follow this step-by-step lesson on IELTS Map essays. Discover how to plan, identify key features and structure a high-scoring essay. Work through a practice ...
How to dominate the IELTS writing task 1 map essay?
Steps to score high in IELTS Writing Task 1 Map essay. 3.1. Step 1: Analyse the map question. The general IELTS map questions will consist of: Description of the map. (e.g. The maps below show the village of Stokeford in 1930 and 2010.) Requirements. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
IELTS Writing Task 1 MAP: Lesson 4: How to Write a Band 9
IELTS Writing Task 1 MAP: Lesson 4: How to Write a Band 9 | Step by step Welcome back to IELTS channelIn this essay, I will instruct you on how to write one ...
Sample Writing: Describe a Map
And here is another sample answer: There are two maps showing the development of an island. The first map shows the island prior to its development, and the second shows the new tourist facilities that have been installed. Before the construction of the new tourist infrastructure, the island had no buildings.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
In this video, you are going to learn how to describe maps that you'll find in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 questions.To watch all of our IELTS videos a...
Academic IELTS Writing Task 1
Let's make sure it won't happen to you! In this lesson Adam, our favourite ex-IELTS examiner of 10 years, is going to give you some great tips that will make describing maps a lot easier. Watch this video, follow Adam's instructions and you will feel happy when you get a map to describe in your test! Watch the lesson on YouTube, or below:
The EASIEST way to write an IELTS map essay
The ULTIMATE beginners guide to writing an IELTS map essay the right way in 2023! This video is for anyone who is struggling to write an Academic Task 1 map ...
IELTS Task 1: Maps
These are maps that I've collected over the years from real past IELTS exams and other practice materials. If you want to stay up to date with all the latest task 1 questions, you can find those here. Here are my EBooks. And if you want the other types of task 1 images, click below: Pie Charts. Line Graphs.
IELTS Task 1 Essay: Building with 3 Maps
Begin writing about the map. Make sure you compare as much as possible. Don't leave anything out. 1. On the right side, the kitchen in the top corner was unaltered across all iterations of the ground floor. 2. In comparison, there was a manager's office on the right hand side and a reception area in the bottom corner.
｡𖦹°‧ it has been a long time since i last wrote essays for the ielts
｡榹°‧ it has been a long time since i last wrote essays for the ielts writing task 2. working in an english-speaking environment every day has made me... ｡榹°‧ it has been a long time since i last wrote essays for the ielts writing task 2. working in an english-speaking environment every day has made me take my language skills for ...
Latest IELTS questions from India
Thanks to the contribution by our Indian student, here are the recent writing questions from his IELTS exam: Writing test. Writing task 1 (a report) The pie charts below show how working adults in a particular country spent their time in 1958 and 2008.
Nuclear Power Essay IELTS 2024: IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples
The writing section of the IELTS exam consists of two sections. Writing task 2 is an essay writing task that requires deep thinking and coherence. This task will be our focus for this blog, as the rules and guidelines of the IELTS exam can be confusing for students appearing for the first time. Writing task 2 has the subsequent guidelines:
IELTS Essay Samples: IELTS Writing Task Answers To Score Band 9
The essay writing task is one of two tasks in the IELTS Writing Test. You must produce an essay of at least 150 words for the first task and an essay of at least 250 words for the second task. The Writing Test is graded on four main points; therefore, if you want to generate IELTS Band 9 Essays, you could perhaps try to meet each of them.
IELTS Speaking questions from Canada
Part 2 (Cue Card) Describe an athlete from your country who has influenced you. You should say: - who he/she is - where you read or heard about him/her
Latest IELTS test questions in Saudi Arabia
IELTS Writing Test - General Training. Writing task 1 (a letter) You stayed at a hotel to attend a company meeting and you were dissatisfied with your stay. Write a letter to the meeting organiser. In your letter - Provide the details of your meeting - Explain what you were dissatisfied with - Suggest what the hotel should do to resolve ...

How To Write an IELTS Map Essay

Step 1 – Analyse the question

Step 2 – Identify the Main Features

Step 3 – Write an Introduction

Step 4 – Write an Overview (Paragraph 2)

Step 5 – Write the 1st Detail Paragraph

Step 6 – Write the 2nd Detail Paragraph

Finished IELTS Map Essay

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IELTS Writing Task 1 Maps Lesson

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How to Describe Specific Changes

How to Describe General Changes

How to Describe Locations

Sample Answer

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Map questions (Lessons and questions included )

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Maps Lesson

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Map Questions

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How to describe a map for academic task 1

1. Organise your thoughts

2. Task achievement

3. Coherence

4. Language

Useful links to help you prepare for academic task 1:

IELTS Writing Maps: Model Answer, Tips & Vocabulary

TIPS FOR IELTS MAPS: WRITING Task 1

Types of IELTS Maps

Grammar Tenses for Map Writing

Map KEYS and Compass Points

Structure & Paragraphing for IELTS Map Writing

IELTS MAP WRITING TASK 1: Model Answer

IELTS Map Comparison Model Answer

Vocabulary for Maps Video

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How to Describe a Map for IELTS Academic Task 1: A Step-by-Step Guide - IELTS Luminary

Key Strategies for a High Band Score in Academic Task 1

Start with an Overview

Detail the Changes

Use Descriptive Language

Comparative and Superlative Forms

Core Components of Academic Task 1 Assessment

Task Achievement

How to Describe a Map for IELTS Academic Task 1

1. Paraphrasing the Question Statement

2. Providing an Overview

3. Comparing and Describing the Maps

Final Thoughts

Recent Posts

IELTS academic writing task 1 maps lesson

The structure for writing task 1

Key vocabulary to use for describing maps

Example sentences:

Vocabulary for showing location

Prepositions:

Vocabulary for describing change over time

The Overview

Model Answer

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What are Map Diagrams?

1.) Map Diagram Introduction / Summary