IELTS Writing-Task-1-Maps
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Tess SeseIELTS Writing-Task-1-Maps
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Tess SeseIELTS WRITING TASK 1
MAPS
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CONTENTS
1. Types of Map Questions
2. Writing the Introduction
3. Writing the Overview
4. Grammar and Vocabulary for Describing Maps
5. Sample Task and Model Answer
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1. TYPES OF MAP QUESTIONS
Maps in Writing Task 1 often shows you the
development of an area and you have to describe its
main changes over time.
Generally, there are 2 types of maps in the IELTS
test
Diachronic maps: 2 maps of the same place but
in different times (e.g 1940, 2010)
Synchronic maps (less common): 1 single map
and we have to describe two locations on them or
even compare them
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Diachronic maps
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Synchronic maps
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ESSAY STRUCTURE
Paragraph 1 - The Introduction
State what the map(s) show(s)
Paragraph 2 – The Overview
Write about the most noticeable differences between the
two maps/ over the time period
Paragraph 3- Main Body 1
Three to four sentences about specific changes that have
occurred.
Paragraph 4- Main Body 2
Further three to four sentences about specific changes
that have occurred.
(You can group information together in paragraph 3 and
6 4 by time or location, depending on the question asked.)
2. WRITING THE INTRODUCTION
Useful Structures
The maps show/compare/illustrate + the changes/
growth/ developments which took place in (name
of the town) over a period from … to …/between
…and…)
The maps show/compares/illustrate + how (name
of the town) has changed/ transformed/ developed
from … to..
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2. WRITING THE OVERVIEW
Choosing the information:
You need to figure out the general change of the place.
1st sentence: more
shopping and
transport facilities
=> become a much
more modern city
today
2nd sentence (an
interesting change):
new tramline
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2. WRITING THE OVERVIEW
1st sentence:
it is clear from the diagram
the most significant change in the
Overall, / that
graph is
In general, …..
what stands out from the graph
2nd sentence:
Another / One interesting change is that....
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In general, the most significant change in the graph is that Castellon has become a
much more modern city, with far more shopping and transport facilities. One
interesting change is that a new tram line has been built, to connect the university
with the town center.
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4. Grammar and Vocabulary for
Describing Maps
Verb Tense and Passive Voice
Maps comparing 2 periods of time in the past (e.g.
1995) and now:
● Use the present perfect passive to describe the
change in the present.
● Use the simple past passive to illustrate features
in the past.
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4. Grammar and Vocabulary for
Describing Maps
Verb Tense and Passive Voice
Maps comparing two periods of time in the past
(e.g. 1990 and 2005):
• Use the simple past passive to describe the
change in 2005.
• Use the past perfect passive to illustrate the
features in 1990.
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4. Grammar and Vocabulary for
Describing Maps
Describing Major Changes
The town has become more/less residential in the year…compared to
….
Some of the changes are negligible but ……(a change)… is dramatic
over these years.
(Place A) experienced a number of noticeable changes. The greatest is
that….
The most noticeable difference between place A and B is …X…
The biggest change occurred to the north of (place A).
…X…has experienced a transformation since more ….X… is
constructed in the area.
(Place A) has undergone considerable changes in ….X…. and ….Y….
13 The (place A) was a much greener residential area with a large number
of trees and individual houses.
4. Grammar and Vocabulary for
Describing Maps
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4. Grammar and Vocabulary for
Describing Maps
Examples:
The offices were demolished and the surrounding area was
redeveloped with a new leisure center opening up.
The shopping center was extended and the parking area was
enlarged to accommodate more cars.
The tree were cut down and a new office block was erected.
A railway was constructed with the introduction of a new train
station.
The industrial area was modernized and made bigger with lots
of new factories being built.
The local government had the sports facilities renovated and the
small park was made into a children’s playground.
15 The park was replaced with a new housing complex.
4. Grammar and Vocabulary for
Describing Maps
Vocabulary for Showing Location
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4. Grammar and Vocabulary for
Describing Maps
Examples
The trees to the north of the river were cut down and a
new office block was built.
A railway was constructed to the east of the housing estate
with the introduction of a new train station.
The forest to the west of the park was cut down and a new
housing complex was constructed.
The industrial area to the south-west of the station was
expanded.
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4. Grammar and Vocabulary for
Describing Maps
Other Useful Vocabulary
Housing/Residential area: an area that has lots of
houses and some schools.
Industrial area: an area that has lots of factories
Commercial area: an area that has lots of stores
Skyscraper: very tall buildings
Warehouse: a building where things are kept until they
are sold.
Woodland: an area with lots of trees
Intersection/Junction: the point where several streets
meet.
18 Recreation: an activity that is exciting, stimulating or
5. Sample Task
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