IELTS Academic Task 1: Maps (Describing Changes)
The Map question in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 is simply a “Before and After” comparison. You are usually given two maps of the same location (e.g., a village, a university campus, or an island) at different times.
Your mission is to describe how the place has developed or changed over the given period. You have 20 minutes to write a report of at least 150 words.
The Golden Rule: It’s All About “Transformation”
Unlike graphs where you look for numbers, in maps, you look for physical changes.
- Has it become more modern? (Rural to Urban)
- Has it become more residential? (More houses)
- Has it become more commercial? (More shops/factories)
Your Overview (Paragraph 2) must describe this general transformation.
- Bad Overview: “There are more houses and a new road.”
- Band 7+ Overview: “Overall, the village underwent significant modernization, transforming from a quiet rural area into a busy residential town with improved infrastructure.”
The Perfect 4-Paragraph Structure
Keep it simple. Describe the maps logically, either by time or by location.
Paragraph 1: The Introduction
Paraphrase the question.
- Question: “The maps below show the changes in the village of Stokeford…”
- Your Intro: “The two maps illustrate the development of Stokeford village over a 50-year period, from 1950 to 2000.”
Paragraph 2: The Overview (The “Big Picture”)
Summarize the main changes. Did the area expand? Were trees cut down? Was a new transport link added?
- Example: “Overall, the village saw considerable growth in housing facilities. Additionally, the road network was expanded, and the farmland was completely replaced by residential and commercial buildings.”
Paragraph 3: Body Paragraph A (Major Changes)
Pick one side of the map (e.g., North of the river) or one type of change (e.g., Housing). Describe it in detail.
- Focus: Use specific verbs of change (see below).
Paragraph 4: Body Paragraph B (Remaining Changes)
Describe the rest of the map (e.g., South of the river) or the other changes (e.g., Infrastructure/Amenities).
- Comparison: “In contrast to the northern section, the southern area remained largely unchanged…”
Essential Vocabulary: The Verbs of Change
This is where you get your marks. You must use specific verbs depending on what happened.
For Buildings (Houses, Factories, Schools)
- Constructed / Built / Erected: “A new school was constructed near the park.”
- Demolished / Knocked down / Flattened: “The old warehouse was demolished.”
- Expanded / Extended: “The library was extended to include a new wing.”
- Converted / Redeveloped: “The factory was converted into a gallery.” (Changed function).
- Relocated / Moved: “The post office was relocated to the town center.”
For Nature (Trees, Forests, Farms)
- Cut down / Chopped down / Cleared: “The forest was cleared to make way for a road.”
- Planted: “New trees were planted along the river.”
For Infrastructure (Roads, Railways, Bridges)
- Constructed / Laid: “A new railway line was laid.”
- Extended: “The main road was extended to the east.”
- Paved: “The dirt track was paved.”
The Grammar Secret: Passive Voice
In map descriptions, we usually don’t know who did the work. We don’t say “The government built a road.” We say “A road was built.“
Passive Voice Formula: Object + was/were + Verb 3 (Past Participle)
- Active: “They cut down the trees.” (Bad)
- Passive: “The trees were cut down.” (Band 7+)
- Passive: “A new car park was established.” (Band 7+)
Prepositions of Place (Compass Points)
You must be precise about location.
- In the north: Inside the area. (“The forest in the north of the island.”)
- To the north: Outside the area. (“The town to the north of the river.”)
- Along: “New houses were built along the river.”
- Across: “A bridge was built across the river.”
- Adjacent to / Next to: “The school is located adjacent to the park.”
Top 3 Mistakes to Avoid
- Using “Left/Right”: Never use “on the left” or “on the right.” Always use North, South, East, West.
- Listing Every Tree: Group changes! Don’t say “A house was built here, and another one there.” Say “A housing estate was constructed in the eastern area.”
- Mixing Tenses:
- If the map is 1990 vs. 2010: Use Past Simple (“It was built”).
- If the map is Today vs. Future: Use Future Passive (“It is predicted to be built” / “It will be constructed”).