In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 you may get a map or plan instead of a graph. Usually it is one of two types: two or three maps of the same place at different times (for example, a town in 1995 and today), or one map with possible locations for something new (for example, two sites proposed for a supermarket). There are no numbers to describe, so your score depends on clear location language, accurate change language, and a strong overview.
A 4-paragraph structure
- Introduction (1 sentence): paraphrase what the maps show, including the place and the dates.
- Overview (2 sentences): the biggest changes overall. For example: the area became more developed, the farmland disappeared, transport improved. No small details here.
- Body paragraph 1: one part of the map (for example, the north, or the residential areas), or the first period.
- Body paragraph 2: the other part of the map, or the second period. Also mention what stayed the same, if it's important.
Group your changes by area or by type (buildings, roads, green space). Don't move around the map at random. If you're not sure how to write an overview, see our Task 1 overview guide.
Location vocabulary
| Job | Useful language |
|---|---|
| Compass points | in the north / south-east of the town · in the north-western corner · to the west of the river |
| Next to something | next to · beside · adjacent to · alongside the main road · opposite the school |
| General position | in the centre · on the outskirts · on the edge of the park · on the coast · along the river · at the end of the street |
| Between and around | between the station and the river · surrounding the lake · across the road from |
Check the compass. Most maps have a north arrow. If there isn't one, assume north is at the top. Mixing up east and west is a very common, very avoidable error.
Change vocabulary (mostly passive)
With maps, the person who made the change isn't important, so the passive is natural and shows grammar range.
| Change | Useful verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Something new | was built / constructed / added / opened | A car park was built to the north of the station. |
| Something removed | was demolished / knocked down / removed · trees were cut down / cleared | The factory was demolished. |
| Something different | was replaced by · was converted into · was turned into | The farmland was converted into housing. |
| Bigger or smaller | was extended / expanded / enlarged / widened · was reduced in size | The main road was widened. |
| Moved | was relocated / moved to | The bus stop was relocated to the town centre. |
| No change | remained · stayed the same · was unchanged | The church remained in the same place. |
You can also use active verbs with places as the subject: the town expanded to the east, the park disappeared, the village developed into a small town.
Get the tense right
- Both maps in the past (1995 and 2015): past simple passive. A school was built.
- Past to now (1995 and today): past simple or present perfect. A school was built or A school has been built. Choose one and be consistent.
- A future plan or proposal: will be built, is planned to be built, is proposed. Under the plan, the car park will be replaced by a hotel.
Sample answer
The two maps below are described in words, as you would see them in the test.
Task: The maps show the village of Fernvale in 2000 and in 2025. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
2000: a small village on the west bank of a river. Farmland covers the east of the map. A narrow road runs north to south through the village. There is a primary school and a few shops in the centre, and a forest in the north-west.
2025: the farmland in the east has become a housing estate. A bridge crosses the river and joins the housing to the village. The road has been widened. The forest is smaller and a sports field has been built where part of it was. The school and shops remain, and a supermarket has been built opposite the shops.
The maps illustrate how the village of Fernvale changed between 2000 and 2025.
Overall, Fernvale became considerably more developed over the period, expanding across the river onto land that had previously been used for farming. Transport links were also improved, while most of the original village centre was kept.
The most significant change took place in the east, where the farmland was replaced by a large housing estate. To connect this new residential area with the rest of the village, a bridge was constructed across the river. At the same time, the main road running from north to south was widened.
In the west of the village, the changes were smaller. The forest in the north-west was reduced in size, and a sports field was built on part of the cleared land. In the centre, the primary school and the shops remained, but a supermarket was added on the opposite side of the road.
Written by BandIQ as a teaching example (about 170 words). Fernvale is a made-up village. Any band given for a sample like this is an estimate, not an official IELTS score.
Why it works
- A clear overview in paragraph 2 gives the big picture (more developed, better transport, centre kept) without details.
- Organised by area: the east first (the biggest change), then the west and centre.
- Varied passives (was replaced by, was constructed, was reduced in size) and some active verbs (expanding, remained).
- No opinions and nothing added that isn't on the maps.
Frequently asked questions
Do maps come up in IELTS General Training?
No. Maps and plans are only in Academic Writing Task 1. In General Training, Task 1 is a letter.
Should I use the passive voice for maps?
Usually, yes. The passive (was built, was demolished, was converted into) is natural because the focus is on the change, not who made it. Mix in some active verbs so your writing doesn't sound repetitive.
Do I need to describe every change on the map?
No. Select the main changes, group them sensibly, and include a clear overview. Mention small changes only if you have time and words to spare.
What tense should I use for a map of the future?
Use future forms such as 'will be built' or 'is planned to be replaced by', because the change has not happened yet.
How many words should a map answer be?
At least 150 words. Aim for about 160 to 190 words in around 20 minutes, so you have time left for Task 2.