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Maps Lesson
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.
Structure
To describe two maps, I advise my students to follow a four-paragraph structure.
Paragraph 1- Paraphrase Sentence
Paraphrase questions 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 labeled 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 be 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.
Examples:
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 center 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.
Examples:
The forest was cut down and replaced with a shopping center.
The trees were cleared to make way for houses.
Roads, bridges, and railway 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, and developed.
Examples:
A skate park was set up next to the swimming pool.
A park was developed beside the forest.
Details about Maps Lesson – English Grammar :
