LESSON 6

WRITING
TASK 1
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WRITING TASK
1
MAP DESCRIPTION

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 MAPS
How many types of maps
are there?
 Types of Maps

Two-map Single-map
description description
MAP’S DESCRIBING LANGUAGE

1. Phrases for “Directions”

❑ Basic directions
❑ Other ways to describe position
2. Phrases for “Changes”
SINGLE-MAP
DESCRIPTION
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BASIC DIRECTIONS

Top left- Top right-

Top
hand corner hand corner

Left-hand Middle / Right-hand

side Centre side

Bottom
Bottom left-
Bottom right-hand
hand corner
corner
 BASIC DIRECTIONS

- A is to the West/left of B.
A B - B is to the East/right of A.

B - A is to the South-west of B.
- B is to the North-east of A.
A

A - B is in the West/on the left-hand side of

B A.
 BASIC DIRECTIONS

- B is in the South-east/on the

A bottom right-hand side corner of
B A.

A - B is in the South/at the bottom

of A.
B
 OTHER WAYS TO DESCRIBE
POSITION
A - B is to the South of A.
- B is in front of A.
B
C - B is in close proximity to A.
- B is a long distance away from
C.

A B
OTHER WAYS TO DESCRIBE POSITION

B
B B - A is surrounded by B(s).
A
- B(s) surround A.
B B B
OTHER WAYS TO DESCRIBE POSITION

A
B is (halfway/midway) between A
B and C.

C
 OTHER WAYS TO DESCRIBE POSITION

B
- A is roughly in the middle of B.
C
- C is exactly in the middle of B.
A

- A is at the right angle to /

A C
perpendicular to B.
- A is parallel to C.
B
Describe the map below

Example:
1. The school was on the top left-hand
corner of the map.
2. The bank was in close proximity to
the school.
SINGLE MAP DESCRIPTION
Below is a map of the city of Brandfield. City planners have decided
to build a new shopping mall for the area, and two sites, S1 and S2
have been proposed.
 STEPS

1 Analyze the map (Time, number of subjects)

2 Paraphrase the topic

3 Find out noticeable features and write the Overview

Pick out the main features for the 2 areas that need
4 to be described in the map, then write 2 body
paragraphs
 STEP BY STEP
1. Analyze the topic:

- Time: “… two sites, S1 and S2 have been proposed”

=> Present simple

- Number of Subjects: 7

+ Golf course & Park + River

+ Housing Estates + Road
+ City Centre + Railway
+ Industrial Estate
 STEP BY STEP
2. Paraphrase the topic
Subject Verb What
two proposed locations/spots/sites
for a new shopping complex in the
The picture / Illustrates
city of Brandfield.
map / /describes
two possible locations/spots/sites
graph / plan /demonstrate
at which a new shopping center
would be constructed.

=> Introduction: The plan illustrates two possible locations

for a new shopping complex in the city of Brandfield.
 OVERVIEW

• Shows the position of the 2 areas that need

describing.
1

• Shows the important and noticeable

difference between 2 areas that need
2 describing.
 STEP BY STEP
3. Find out features and write the
overview
#1: It can be seen that the two proposed
sites are in the North and the South East of
the town.
#2:
+ The most notable difference between the
two sites is that the first site (S1) is in close
proximity to the residential area, while the
second site (S2) is a short distance from the
industrial zone.
+ As can be seen, both sites are close to the
train line and the main road. However, S1 is
the only site which is located near the river.
 BODY

• Describe Area 1
1

• Describe Area 2
2
4. Pick out and group the main features:
Body 1

Body 2
 STEP BY STEP
DIVIDE BASED ON FEATURES

* Detail 1: Site 1
- Position:
+ To the North of the City Centre
+ To the East of the Housing Estate
(=> Easy access for the people living
there.)
- Between S1 and the City Centre: a
railway line
 STEP BY STEP
DIVIDE BASED ON FEATURES

* Detail 2: Site 2
- Position:
+ To the South-east of the City Centre
+ To the South of the Industrial Estate
- Near: Railway and Main road
- Far: Golf course and Park (both S1
and S2)
 SAMPLE
The plan depicts two proposed locations for a new shopping complex in the city of Brandfield.

From a general perspective, it can be seen that the two planned sites are in the North and the South
East of the town. Also, the most noticeable difference between the two sites is that the first site (S1) is in
close proximity to the residential area, while the second site (S2) is a short distance away from the
industrial zone.

A closer examination at the graph reveals the position of Site 1, which is located to the North of the City
Centre and to the East of the Housing Estate. This way, the people living there can get convenient
access to the site. In addition, while the River and Road are adjacent to S1, there is a Railway Line
between this site and the City Centre.

By stark contrast, Site 2 is planned to be to the South-east of the City Centre and to the South of the
Industrial Estate. It is also visible that the Railway and the Main Road are located a short distance from
the site, while the Golf Course and the Park are a considerable distance to reach from both S1 and S2.
DOUBLE-MAP
DESCRIPTION
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 SUBJECTS CHANGES MEANING

built, constructed, erected Được xây lên

renovated, reconstructed,
Được xây lại
modernized
converted, transformed (into something)
Được biến đổi thành, được thế chỗ bởi...
BUILDINGS replaced by
Moved/ relocated (to somewhere) Được di dời tới ...
extended, expanded Được mở rộng
become bigger/ smaller/ be reduced in size To hơn/ nhỏ hơn
demolished, knocked down, flattened
Bị dỡ bỏ
disappear
cut-down, chopped down Bị chặt hạ

TREES / FORESTS cleared (to make way for) Bị xóa sổ để dành chỗ cho…

planted Được trồng

constructed, built, erected Được xây lên
BRIDGE, PORT, ROAD, RAILWAY,
… extended, expanded, widened Được mở rộng

reopened Được khôi phục

opened up, set up, established Được xây dựng

AMENITIES
developed, expanded Được mở rộng
 A => B
A + be + demolished/ destroyed/ knocked down + to make way for + B.

A + be + demolished/ destroyed/ knocked down + and replaced by + B.

B + be + built/ constructed/ erected + to replace + A.

B + be+ built/ constructed/ erected + on the original site of + A.

Example:
1. The trees were chopped down to make way for a technopark.
2. The cinema was built on the original site of the theatre.
3. The school and the library remained unchanged
TWO - MAP DESCRIPTION
 Analyze the map (Time, space)

Paraphrase the topic

STEP
Find out noticeable features and
S write the Overview

Pick out the main features in both

maps, then write 2 body paragraphs
The maps below show
the centre of a small
town called Islip as it is
now, and plans for its
development.
STEP BY STEP

1. Analyze the topic:

Time: “as it is now” and “planned development”=> Present
simple & Future simple
Space:
+ Shops -> Bus station, Shopping centre, Car park, New
housing
+ Main road -> Pedestrian zone
+ Park -> smaller
+ School -> slightly larger
STEP BY
STEP
2. Paraphrase the
topic Subjec
Verb What & When
t
The the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and
Topic show
maps plans for its development

the current layout of Islip town center and the

proposed plans for its future development.
The
Illustrate the existing structure of Islip town center with the
pictures
Paraphrase /describe proposed development plans.
/graphs
/demonstrate the present design of Islip town center with the
/plans
planned development for the future.

=> Introduction: The two maps illustrate the current layout of Islip town
center and the proposed plans for its future development.
STEP BY
STEP
3. Find out features and write the
overview
#1:
- Overall, the town …
+ will be totally transformed in a number of different ways
+ will witness dramatic changes
+ will undergo significant changes
Or
- Overall, there will be a number of notable changes to the
town.
#2.
- … , the most important of which will be […]
- The principle change to the town will be […]
- Significant changes are planned for the town center,
including [….] [...]: the construction of a dual carriageway/ the
 BODY
How many types?

Few Many
subjects subjects
 BODY
FEW
SUBJECTS
• Describe the area in the period
Body 1 before any changes happened.

• Describe the changes (make

Body 2 comparisons between 2
periods of time).
 BODY
MANY
SUBJECTS
• Group the subjects and make
Body 1 comparisons to describe
changes.

• Group the remaining subjects

Body 2 and make comparisons to
describe changes.
 4. Pick out and group main
STEP BY ideas
STEP
Body
1

Body
2
STEP BY
STEP
* Detail 1:
- Main road: East to West, between 2
lines of shops:
+ North: Countryside
+ South: 2 housing areas:
+West: School
+ East: Park
=> Connected to main roads by minor
roads
STEP BY
STEP * Detail 2:

- Biggest change: Dual carriageway

- Main road -> Pedestrian zone:

+ North: Shops -> Bus station,

Shopping centre, Car park, New
housing area (will be accessed
through a minor road which will be
connected with the carriageway)
+ South: more houses, smaller park
SAMPLE
The diagrams illustrate some proposed changes to the central
area of the town of Islip.

It is clear that the principal change to the town will be the

construction of a ring road around the centre. Various other
developments with regard to shops and housing will
accompany the building of this road.

Looking at the map of Islip as it is now, we can see that a main

road runs through its centre from east to west. The second map
shows the planned pedestrianisation of this road. Traffic will be
diverted onto a dual carriageway that will form a ring around
the town centre.

Currently there is a row of shops along either side of the main

road. However, it appears that the shops along the north side
of the new pedestrian street will be demolished to make way
for a bus station, shopping centre, car park and new housing
area. The shops along the south side of the street will remain,
but it seems that the town’s park will be reduced in size so that
more new houses can be built within the ring road.

(Simon, 187 words, band 9)

Thank
you!