Describing Maps & Plans

Map questions in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 ask you to describe changes to a place over time or compare two different locations. They appear less frequently than graphs or charts but require specific vocabulary and techniques. This lesson prepares you to handle map questions confidently at Band 7+ level.

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Types of Map Questions

Type 1: Before and After (Most Common)

You are shown two maps of the same place at different times (e.g., a town in 1990 and the same town in 2020). You must describe the changes.

Type 2: Proposed Development

You are shown a current map and a plan for future development. You must describe the proposed changes.

Type 3: Two Different Locations

You are shown two maps of different places (e.g., two proposed sites for a new supermarket). You must compare them.

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Key Vocabulary for Maps

Describing Location

Position                    Language
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North / South / East / West "In the north of the town..."
                            "To the south of the river..."
                            "On the eastern side..."

Centre / Edge               "In the centre of the area..."
                            "On the outskirts / periphery..."

Relative position           "Adjacent to the park..."
                            "Opposite the school..."
                            "Next to / beside the station..."
                            "Near / close to the river..."
                            "Between the hospital and the library..."
                            "Surrounded by farmland..."

Describing Change

Change Type                 Language
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Something new built         "A new shopping centre was constructed..."
                            "A car park was built / added..."
                            "Housing was developed..."

Something removed           "The farmland was replaced by..."
                            "The old factory was demolished / removed..."
                            "The woodland was cleared..."

Something expanded          "The residential area was extended..."
                            "The road was widened..."
                            "The car park was enlarged / expanded..."

Something reduced           "The green space was reduced..."
                            "The number of houses decreased..."

Something relocated         "The market was relocated to..."
                            "The entrance was moved to..."

Something converted         "The warehouse was converted into flats..."
                            "The field was turned into a playground..."

No change                   "The church remained unchanged..."
                            "The river retained its original course..."
                            "The hospital stayed in its original position..."

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Tense Usage for Maps

Map Type	Tense
Past dates (1980 vs. 2020)	Past simple passive ("A park was built")
Current vs. proposed plan	Present simple + future ("The plan proposes..." / "will be built")
Two existing locations	Present simple ("Site A is located near...")

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Structure for Map Responses

Map Response Structure
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1. INTRODUCTION
   Paraphrase what the maps show.

2. OVERVIEW
   Summarise the most significant changes overall.
   (e.g., "The area underwent significant development,
    with residential housing replacing much of the farmland.")

3. BODY 1
   Describe changes in one area of the map
   (e.g., the northern / western section).

4. BODY 2
   Describe changes in another area of the map
   (e.g., the southern / eastern section).
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How to Group Information

Approach 1: By area/direction

• Body 1: Changes in the north and east
• Body 2: Changes in the south and west

Approach 2: By type of change

• Body 1: New constructions and developments
• Body 2: Things removed, reduced, or unchanged

Approach 3: By significance

• Body 1: Major changes
• Body 2: Minor changes and things that stayed the same

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Worked Example

The Maps

Two maps of a small coastal village:

1990:

• A beach along the southern coast
• A fishing harbour in the south-east
• A main road running east-west through the centre
• A cluster of houses along the main road
• Farmland in the north
• A small church in the north-west
• Woodland in the north-east