Introduction: Understanding the “Maps” Task
Among all IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 types, Maps are perhaps the most visual — they test your ability to describe spatial changes over time or compare layouts.
You’ll usually see:
- Two maps of the same location (past vs. present, or present vs. future).
- Sometimes three maps showing different time stages.
- Or occasionally, one static map you must describe spatially.
The key is to describe changes, locations, directions, and transformations logically and accurately.
🎯 Examiner’s Expectations
Examiners assess you on the same four criteria as every other Task 1:
| Band Descriptor | What It Means for Maps |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement | Clear overview of main spatial changes or developments |
| Coherence & Cohesion | Logical organization (grouping related features), clear paragraphing, linking devices |
| Lexical Resource | Wide range of spatial & change-related vocabulary |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | Appropriate tense choice (past/present/future), sentence variety, accuracy |
💡 Band 8+ Insight:
Examiners reward comparative and grouped description, not just listing features.
Instead of “There is a park,” say “The park in the north was replaced by a housing estate, while the southern fields remained unchanged.”
🧱 The Ideal Structure for IELTS Map Reports
Here’s the GoatGuru 4-Step Structure that simplifies all Map reports:
| Paragraph | Function | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Introduction | Rephrase the task statement | “The maps illustrate how X has changed from Y to Z.” |
| 2. Overview | Summarize main trends or transformations | “Overall, the town became more urbanized, with new roads and buildings replacing open areas.” |
| 3. Body Paragraph 1 | Describe major changes in one section or time period | Focus on North/South or Past/Present |
| 4. Body Paragraph 2 | Describe remaining or contrasting changes | Focus on other half of map or new developments |
🧩 How to Begin (Introduction)
Your introduction simply rephrases the prompt:
Task Statement: The maps below show the changes in Brookside Village between 1990 and 2020.
Your Introduction: The two maps illustrate how Brookside Village developed over a 30-year period from 1990 to 2020.
✅ Keep it one sentence, objective, and without specific details.
🗺️ How to Write the Overview
The overview is the most important paragraph for Task Achievement.
Describe general changes — modernization, expansion, transformation of land use, etc.
Example:
Overall, Brookside Village became more residential and less rural, with farmland replaced by housing and new transport links added.
💡 Band 8+ Insight:
Include two clear, contrasting observations in the overview — one about expansion/development, and another about loss/reduction (e.g., more roads but fewer green spaces).
🧩 How to Develop the Body Paragraphs
You’ll usually have two body paragraphs, organized logically.
✅ Tips for Effective Organization:
- Use spatial grouping (north/south, left/right, etc.).
- Use chronological grouping if multiple time stages.
- Always include connectors of direction and change.
Example start for Body 1:
In the northern area, several significant changes took place. The farmland was replaced by a supermarket, while the small path was upgraded into a main road.
Example start for Body 2:
Meanwhile, the southern part of the village experienced further urbanization, with residential blocks and a car park replacing the old school playground.
🕰️ Suitable Tenses for IELTS Map Reports
| Situation | Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Past maps | Past simple | “The factory was demolished.” |
| Present maps | Present simple | “The park is located in the center.” |
| Future maps | Future simple or modal | “A new airport will be built.” |
| Mixed (past & present) | Combination | “The old houses have been replaced by apartments.” |
💡 Band 8+ Insight:
Avoid mixing tenses randomly — choose one dominant tense based on time focus, and use perfect tenses only for clear before–after contrasts.
🗣️ Ultimate Map Vocabulary Bank
🔹 Location & Direction Words
- To the north/south/east/west of
- In the northern part of
- Adjacent to / next to / opposite
- Alongside / near / beside
- In the center / at the edge
🔹 Change & Transformation Verbs
- was converted into / replaced by / demolished
- was extended / expanded / redeveloped
- was constructed / built / removed
- remained unchanged / retained
🔹 Noun Phrases
- residential area, commercial district, recreational zone
- road network, industrial complex, green space
🔹 Describing Trends & Extent
- significant expansion, minor adjustment, complete redevelopment
- dramatic transformation, slight relocation
💡 Band 8+ Insight:
Examiners notice variety. Replace repeated “built” with “constructed,” “developed,” or “established.” Replace “changed” with “transformed,” “modernized,” or “redeveloped.”
✍️ Synonyms and Collocations (with examples)
| Verb | Synonyms | Collocation Example |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Construct, establish, develop | A new railway line was constructed. |
| Remove | Eliminate, demolish, clear away | The trees were cleared away to make space. |
| Replace | Convert into, transform into | The factory was converted into a museum. |
| Expand | Enlarge, extend, widen | The shopping area was extended westward. |
🧩 Sentence Starters for Map Description
- “In the north of the town, there used to be …”
- “The open field was transformed into …”
- “A new road was constructed connecting …”
- “Meanwhile, the southern region remained unchanged.”
- “Over the period shown, the area became more developed.”
🏗️ Sample Map Task 1 (Example 1)
Model Answer (Annotated)
Introduction:
The two maps illustrate the development of Greenville over a 20-year period, from 2000 to 2020.
Overview:
Overall, the town became significantly more urbanized, with new residential and commercial areas replacing farmland and open spaces.
Body 1:
In 2000, most of Greenville was rural. Farmland occupied the northern section, while a small cluster of houses was located on the western side near the river. The southern part contained a school surrounded by open fields.
Body 2:
By 2020, the farmland had been completely replaced by housing and a large supermarket. A new road network was constructed, including a bridge connecting both sides of the river. The school remained, but new residential blocks appeared nearby.
💡 Band 8+ Insight:
Notice how the writer uses grouped information, precise direction words, and varied structures (“had been replaced,” “was constructed,” “remained”).
🧩 Practice Map Task 2: Guided Exercises
Exercise 1 – Overview Practice
Complete the overview:
Overall, Seafield changed from a ______ village into a ______ tourist destination, with the addition of ______ and removal of ______.
Exercise 2 – Transformation Verbs Practice
Fill in the blanks with suitable verbs:
- The fishing port was ______ to make room for the marina.
- Farmland was ______ into hotel complexes.
- A highway was ______ along the coast.
- The inland area ______ largely unchanged.
Exercise 3 – Write Your Full Report
Using the model above as a guide, write a 150-word report describing Seafield’s transformation.
💡 Band 8+ Insight:
In maps showing modernization (like ports → marinas), use context-specific nouns: “tourist resort,” “commercial complex,” “infrastructure expansion,” etc.
They demonstrate topic-specific lexical range, vital for Band 8+.
🚫 Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
| Mistake | Why It’s Wrong | Better Version |
|---|---|---|
| “There are trees.” | Too descriptive, not analytical | “The trees were cleared to make way for housing.” |
| “The map shows many changes.” | Vague | “The northern area was redeveloped into a shopping zone.” |
| “I can see roads and a school.” | Informal, subjective | “A school is located in the southern section of the town.” |
| “It changed a lot.” | Too general | “The town underwent major urban development.” |
🎓 Band 8+ Grammar Upgrades
| Basic | Band 8+ Version |
|---|---|
| “The road was built.” | “A new road was constructed linking the housing estate to the city center.” |
| “The park stayed the same.” | “The park in the northwest remained largely untouched throughout the period.” |
| “There were more houses.” | “Residential expansion occurred mainly in the eastern area, where multiple housing blocks were added.” |
🧠 Final Tips for Map Success
✅ Step 1: Identify time period(s) (past/present/future).
✅ Step 2: Group major changes logically.
✅ Step 3: Use map language (direction + transformation).
✅ Step 4: Avoid lists — always summarize patterns.
✅ Step 5: Write at least 160–170 words for clarity and range.
🧩 Quick Revision Summary
| Aspect | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Structure | Intro → Overview → Body 1 → Body 2 |
| Focus | Describe changes and locations |
| Tenses | Past/Present/Future depending on maps |
| Vocabulary | Spatial + change + comparison |
| Overview | Must summarize overall transformation |
| Target Length | 160–180 words |
| Common Error | Listing features instead of grouping them |
Model Answer (Band 9 Sample)
Introduction
The two maps illustrate the development of Greenville over a 20-year period, from 2000 to 2020.
Overview
Overall, Greenville experienced significant urban growth during this period, with farmland converted into residential and commercial areas, and infrastructure expanded to support the growing population.
Body Paragraph 1
In 2000, Greenville was largely rural, with farmland dominating the northern part of the town. A small number of houses were located in the west, near a river that ran across the center. The southern area contained a school, surrounded by open fields, while no major roads connected the separate parts of the town.
Body Paragraph 2
By 2020, the farmland in the north had been replaced by new housing developments and a supermarket. Additionally, a bridge was built across the river, linking the western and eastern sides through a newly constructed road. The school remained in the same location, though it was now surrounded by housing, reflecting a shift from a rural to a more residential environment.
🧩 Annotations & Commentary
| Band Descriptor | Examiner Commentary |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement (9) | All key features are covered with a clear overview summarizing the overall development. Major changes are logically grouped and expressed concisely. |
| Coherence & Cohesion (9) | Excellent paragraph structure. Cohesive devices (“while,” “additionally,” “though”) are used naturally. Logical progression from north to south and from 2000 to 2020. |
| Lexical Resource (8.5) | Wide range of academic and spatial vocabulary: dominated, converted, replaced, linking, residential environment. No repetition or informal phrasing. |
| Grammar Range & Accuracy (9) | Complex sentences with accurate use of past perfect and passive structures (had been replaced, was built, was surrounded). No grammatical slips. |
💡 Band 8+ Insights
- Grouping is key – Don’t describe features one by one; describe zones or themes (e.g., “northern area,” “southern area”).
- Balanced focus – Include both additions (new roads, housing) and retentions (the school remained).
- Advanced verbs – “Redeveloped,” “transformed,” “converted,” “expanded” elevate lexical quality.
Model Answer (Band 9 Sample)
Introduction
The two maps depict the transformation of Seafield, a coastal town, from 1995 to 2025.
Overview
Overall, Seafield evolved from a small fishing village into a modern tourist destination, with the development of leisure facilities and infrastructure, and the removal of traditional fishing-related features.
Body Paragraph 1
In 1995, Seafield was a quiet village centered around its fishing port. A few houses were scattered near the coastline, and most of the inland area was farmland. There were no major roads, and the landscape remained largely natural.
Body Paragraph 2
By 2025, the fishing port had been demolished and replaced by a marina. The farmland to the north was transformed into hotels and restaurants, marking a shift towards tourism. Additionally, a highway was constructed parallel to the coastline, improving accessibility. A public park was also added inland, while the original houses remained, suggesting that Seafield had modernized without completely losing its residential character.
🧩 Annotations & Commentary
| Band Descriptor | Examiner Commentary |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement (9) | Excellent summary of changes and balance between old and new developments. The overview captures transformation clearly (“from fishing village to tourist town”). |
| Coherence & Cohesion (9) | Logical progression: past → future, coast → inland. Excellent transitions (“By 2025,” “Additionally,” “while”). |
| Lexical Resource (8.5) | Sophisticated lexis: demolished, transformed into, marking a shift towards, modernized. Natural collocations and topic-specific vocabulary. |
| Grammar Range & Accuracy (9) | Complex sentences, consistent past and future tenses. Good control of modals and perfect forms. |
💡 Band 8+ Insights
✅ Use topic-specific vocabulary for map themes:
- “Tourism-oriented,” “recreational facilities,” “transport infrastructure,” “urban expansion.”
✅ Highlight transformation patterns – the IELTS examiner values cohesive descriptions that show “before–after” logic.
✅ Don’t forget the unchanged areas — “The original houses remained” shows completeness and balance.
💬 Common Upgrades for Band 8+ Map Answers
| Weak | Stronger Version |
|---|---|
| “There were more roads.” | “Several new roads were constructed to connect previously isolated areas.” |
| “The farmland was removed.” | “Farmland was cleared and converted into tourist accommodation.” |
| “The map shows more buildings.” | “The town witnessed a notable expansion of residential and commercial structures.” |
🎓 Examiner Summary: What Makes These Band 9-Level?
✅ 1. Overview quality: Both answers summarize big-picture changes rather than details.
✅ 2. Logical grouping: Each paragraph focuses on a clear spatial or thematic area.
✅ 3. Lexical variety: Uses sophisticated, topic-related terms — “redeveloped,” “transformed,” “expanded.”
✅ 4. Cohesion: Linking devices used naturally (“while,” “additionally,” “meanwhile”).
✅ 5. Grammar: Mix of passive, perfect, and complex clauses used accurately.
🧠 Practice Challenge for Students
✏️ Task: The maps below show the development of Riverside Park between 1990 and 2020.
(Describe major changes using today’s vocabulary and structure tips. Write at least 160 words.)
Writing Support Template (Fill-in Practice)
| Section | Template Starter |
|---|---|
| Intro | The maps illustrate how ______ has changed between ______ and ______. |
| Overview | Overall, the area underwent significant ______, with ______ replaced by ______. |
| Body 1 | In the earlier period, ______ was located in the ______ part, while ______ occupied the ______. |
| Body 2 | By contrast, in the later map, ______ had been constructed, and ______ was removed or redeveloped. |
💡 Band 8+ Tip Box
➤ Use parallel structure in your overview:
“While the northern area became more residential, the southern region saw the addition of several recreational amenities.”➤ Use directional prepositions accurately: to the north of, in the southeast corner, along the coastline.
➤ Always end your report with a holistic observation, not a detail.