drought

3.3 million

crops
machines
wells
futhermore available
sand disease believe
business create
experience involve

xây dựng tuyến

đường vận chuyển
đào hồ chứa nước
thu tập VLXD
làm ống
vòi lắp

have
on
of

for
has
on
approach

productive

perfectionist

dissatisfied
 WRITING 4 – DESCRIBING MAPS (WEEK 12)

This type of question often shows you a plan of a place in two time periods (Time-based maps), and you
have to describe the main changes between the two periods. The most common time periods are between:

• a time in the past (e.g. 2000) and now;

• two times in the past (e.g. 2000 and 2010).
You will need to write:

• a brief introduction to the maps in your own words;

• a short overview to describe what has happened to the place in general;
• two paragraphs to describe some of the main changes;
• a minimum of 150 words.
e.g.

Another type is called Time-invariant map. This type of task consists of a single map describing a
location, area, or region without changes over time. Your duty is to compare two areas, S1 and S2, on
aspects such as geography, weather, population, infrastructure, etc., to decide where to build establishments
like restaurants, schools, eateries, etc.
1
Example:

A map without time changes to compare between two areas, S1 and S2

I. INTRODUCTION
As in other types of Task 1 question, in the introduction to maps, you need to rewrite the question in your
own words. There are several ways in which you can do this.
• The maps + show/illustrate/demonstrate + how changed + Time*
= The maps + show/illustrate/demonstrate + the changes of + [Location] + Time*, where.
(Time*: over a [number of years]-year period from___ to___/ between___ and___)
• The given map presents/ witnesses/ shows…
• Using relative clauses (which, where…)
• Using linking words such as “Even though”, “Despite”, “Because”, “However”
e.g. Task: The maps below show a public park that opened in 1920 and the same park today.
=> Sample introduction: The two maps illustrate various changes Grange Park has undergone since its
opening in 1920 to the present.
Exercise 1. Write an introductory sentence for these Task 1 questions.
1. The maps below show the changes in the Spanish city of Castéllon in recent times (2000-now).
=> _________________________________________________________________________________
2. The diagrams below show the changes that have taken place at West Park Secondary School since its
construction in 1950.
=> _________________________________________________________________________________

2
3. The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourist facilities.
=> _________________________________________________________________________________

II. OVERVIEW
The Overview for a map-type chart description task should highlight significant points over time (e.g.
whether there are changes, developments, or regressions) of buildings, areas, or other distinguishing
features between the two maps.
e.g. Sample Overview: Overall, the original wilderness of the island has been built and developed into a
recreational place full of facilities.
Exercise 2. Complete the overviews below using the words in the box.

in terms of significant completely more

It is clear that 1________________ changes will be made 2______________ the use of floor space in the
gallery. There will be a 3_____________ new entrance and 4_________ space for exhibitions.

with regard construction the number developments

Overall, there will be extensive 5____________ 6 _____________ to 7 ___________ of buildings,

facilities and roads in the school site, and 8____________ of students will also increase significantly.

noticeable designed differ the use of

The most 9 ___________ difference between houses 10 __________ for cool and warm climates is in the
shape of the roof. The designs also 11 __________ with regard to the windows and 12 _________
insulation.

III. BODY
3.1. Vocabulary for maps
➢ Verbs to describe changes in a city
Exercise 3. Write these verbs in the correct column of the table below.

build construct convert cut down demolish enlarge erect expand extend
industrialize introduce knock down make into modernize pull down redevelop
remove replace transform turn into urbanize

make bigger take away add something change into general

new something else statements about
changes
enlarge cut down build convert industrialize

3
 ➢ Noun phrases for maps
Exercise 4. Complete the table with the noun forms of the verbs.

verb noun verb noun

demolish 1 cut down 11
construct 2 transform 12
build 3 industrialize 13
open 4 erect 14
knock down 5 modernize 15
expand 6 urbanize 16
convert 7 redevelop 17
introduce 8 pedestrianize 18
replace 9 enlarge 19
extend 10 disappear 20

Exercise 5. Complete these sentences with the noun form of the verb in brackets.
1. It is interesting to note that there has been a redevelopment of the port area. (redevelop)
2. Another striking change is the ....................................... of the university. (expand)
3. A notable change has been the................................ of the old train station into a police station. (convert)
4. The whole city has experienced a significant......................................... the last ten years. (modernize)
5. An interesting development has been the.......................................of a bike-rental scheme. (introduce)
6. There didn't use to be a cinema or shops near the port, but the last few years have seen the ....................
of new facilities in the port area. (build)

Exercise 6. Cover Exercise 5 and complete these phrases.

1. Another striking change is.....

2. A n................................. change has been...
3. The whole city has e.................................. a significant modernization...
4. An i.................................. development has been...
5. There d............................ to be.....
6. The last few years have s............................. the building of...

➢ Describing Position and Location

… lies/is situated/is located/is sited + to the right of/to the north of/around/below/inside/near …

4
 north, south, east, west, northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest
at the top/bottom
on the right/left side
in the top/bottom right/left hand corner
10 miles from
10 miles to the right of
10 miles north of
in the middle / at the centre
along / off
across [from]
opposite
close to / near / in the vicinity of
adjacent to / next to / beside
… is surrounded by…
… is covered with …
… is connected to … via/through/by means of …

e.g. A post office lies 200 miles east of the river.

A new restaurant has been built to the right of the church.

The new post office is located across from the cemetery.

The residential areas are connected to the city centre via a number of access roads.

The city was surrounded by farmland.

➢ Useful Vocabulary for Describing Maps

• Residential/housing 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
• Hospital: a health facility where patients receive treatment
• Zoo: a place where people can go and see many kinds of animals
• Post office: a place where you can send mail (letters and packages)
• Fire station: a station housing fire apparatus and firemen
• Airport: an airfield equipped with control tower and hangers as well as accommodation for
passengers and cargo
• Park: a recreational area where people can play football and have picnics
• Skyscraper: a very tall building
• Warehouse: a building where things are kept until they are sold.
• Parking lot: an area where people can park cars
• Museum: a place that displays things of scientific or historical or artistic value
• Supermarket: a large store that sells mostly food but sometimes other items such as clothes
and furniture.
• Factory: an industrial plant, a production facility
5
 • Woodland: an area with lots of trees
• River: a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
• Street: the place where cars drive
• Intersection/Junction: the point where several streets meet.
• Facilities: recreation/recreational facilities, entertainment facilities, transport facilities, medical
facilities, educational/academic facilities

3.2. Useful structures

➢ Present perfect passive
When you write about changes between a time in the past and now, the main tense is the present
perfect passive:
• A new tram line has been built...
• ... a bike-rental scheme has been introduced...
However, “take place, become, change and make way for” can't be passive:

• A number of important changes have taken place in the last decade.

• The city has become much more modern.
• The cinema was knocked down to make way for a new shopping centre.
Exercise 7. Complete these sentences with a suitable present perfect form of the verb in brackets.
1. The city used to be very green, but it.................................................. much more industrial. (become)
2. A new sports centre............................................ in the city centre. (construct)
3. The old stadium.......................................placed by a new one. (demolish)
4. Many significant change............................... the city in the last ten years. (take place)
5. The old town hall............................... replaced by new flats. (knock down)
6. There used to be a park in the north of the city, but it ........................... by a supermarket. (replace)
7. The old houses.................... make way for new apartments. (pull down)
8. There didn't use to be many skyscrapers, but several........................................the last few years. (build)
9. In the last 15 years, the city.......................................ably, from a quiet market town into a much busier
small city. (change)
10. The disused factory in the south of the city.............................................. shopping mall. (turn into)
Exercise 8. Write five sentences about the maps of Castellón on page 1 using the language from this
page.
e.g. A new bike-rental scheme has been introduced in the city centre.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

6
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Model Answer (of the maps on page 1)

Exercise 9. Write an answer to this Task 1 (at least 150 words).

7
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

8
 SAMPLE
Master IELTS Visuals | Ebrahim Tahassoni

Writing Task 1 (From Cambridge IELTS Book 1)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Chorleywood is a village near London whose population has increased steadily since the middle
of the nineteenth century. The map below shows the development of the village.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Sample band 9 response by E. Tahassoni:

The map shows how a village called Chorleywood developed over a period of 126 years.
Overall, it saw considerable growth, both in the establishment of new residential areas and
transportation routes, which occurred over four phases.
From 1868 to 1883 there were only two main roads in the region with Chorleywood covering a
small area along one of them. Over the next 40 years, the village grew southward alongside the
road and a railway was built in 1909 passing through this part. Chorleywood station is also
located in this area of the village.
Over the period between 1922 and 1970, the railway was the line along which Chorleywood
expanded, both towards the east and west. However, a motorway was constructed in 1970
parallel to one of the main roads and further development of the village occurred around its
intersections with the other main road and the railway between 1970 and 1994. Furthermore,
Chorleywood Park and Golf course is now located in an area enclosed by the two main roads,
the railway and this motorway.
(174 words)

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 Master IELTS Visuals | Ebrahim Tahassoni

Writing Task 1 (From Official IELTS Practice Materials 2)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagrams below show the site of a school in 2004 and the plan for changes to the school site
in 2024.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Sample band 9 response by E. Tahassoni:

The maps illustrate how a school site is planned to be developed over a 20-year period. Overall,
there will be extensive developments with regards to construction of buildings, facilities and
roads in the school site, and the number of students will also increase significantly.
In 2004, there was only one car park to the west of the site where the main entrance to the
school was located. There were also two school buildings, accommodating 600 students
altogether, separated by a path running from the main entrance to the sports field in the east.
The school was surrounded by woodland in the north, south and east.
There are plans to increase the number of students served by the school by 400 in 2024. As a
result, a new school building will replace the old sports field, and the two original buildings are
going to be joined together. The old path will then connect these to the new building number
3, no longer running to the main entrance. Furthermore, a part of the woodland in the east is
planned to be deforested and replaced by a new car park as well as a new, smaller sports
field. Finally, a new road will be paved passing south of the school building, which will connect
the two car parks.
(216 words)

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 Master IELTS Visuals | Ebrahim Tahassoni

Writing Task 1 (From the Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagrams below show the changes that have taken place at West Park Secondary School
since its construction in 1950.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Sample band 9 response by E. Tahassoni:

The diagrams illustrate how West Park Secondary School has developed since 1950 when it was
built. Overall, the school saw significant growth although its recreational facilities did not
develop as much as its buildings and parking space.
In 1950, the school was a single building located along the main road and to the right of a
series of houses. There was a large playground which was located right behind the school
building to the right of some farmland.
Thirty years later in 1980, the houses were demolished and replaced by a car park, as well as a
new science block, for the school while the old school building was changed into its main
building. The farmland was also replaced by a new sports field, but the playground remained
unchanged.
In the last year, 2010, the car park was extended, as a result of which the land previously
allocated to the sports field was added to it. However, about a third of the old playground was
turned into a new, yet much smaller, sports field.
(174 words)

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 Master IELTS Visuals | Ebrahim Tahassoni

Writing Task 1 (From Cambridge IELTS Book 9, test 1)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourist facilities.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Sample band 8.5 response by E. Tahassoni:

The maps illustrate how an island has changed following the development of various facilities
for visitors.
Overall, there have been significant constructions in the island in terms of accommodation and
facilities for tourists. It is noteworthy that these developments have occurred without any
noticeable damage to the trees.
The length of the island is over 1200 metres while its width varies from about 200 to 500 metres in
different places. The only significant features before the constructions were a beach in the west
and a few palm trees in the eastern and western halves, apart from which the island was
completely bare.
The beach has now been equipped with swimming facilities, and the western woodland is
surrounded by a series of huts which are connected to each other and to the beach via
footpaths. There is also a restaurant in the northern part which is connected to a reception
building in the middle of the island, as well as a new pier to the south, by means of a vehicle
track. Finally, a larger set of huts have been constructed between the reception and the
eastern woodland.
(185 words)

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