IELTS map vocabulary: location, change and a practice map
A Task 1 map answer needs two kinds of language: where things are, and how they changed. Use the passive for changes ("the car park was replaced by a supermarket"), the past simple for a map of the past, and an overview that sums up the biggest change. Practise on the original map below.
The practice map: Westbrook, 2000 and today
Changes in Westbrook between 2000 and today: the farmland north of the main road was replaced by housing; the school, north-east of the road, was extended; south of the road, the shops stayed the same, the library was converted into a community centre and the car park was replaced by a supermarket; on the river bank, the trees on the eastern half were cut down to make way for a cycle path; a footbridge was built across the river to the east of the road bridge.
Language for where things are
| Use | Example from Westbrook |
|---|---|
| to the north of / south of | The school is to the north of the main road. |
| in the north-west of | The housing is in the north-west of the village. |
| next to / beside | The library stood next to the car park. |
| between | The community centre is between the shops and the supermarket. |
| opposite | The shops are opposite the housing, across the main road. |
| along / on the bank of | A cycle path now runs along the river. |
| to the east of | A footbridge was built to the east of the road bridge. |
Language for change
Most changes are things done by unnamed people, so use the passive.
| Change | Example from Westbrook |
|---|---|
| was replaced by | The car park was replaced by a supermarket. |
| was converted into | The library was converted into a community centre. |
| was extended / was enlarged | The school was extended to the east. |
| was built / was constructed | A footbridge was built across the river. |
| was cut down to make way for | Trees on the eastern bank were cut down to make way for a cycle path. |
| was developed / was turned into housing | The farmland was developed into housing. |
| remained / stayed the same | The shops and the main road remained unchanged. |
Check your change language
Look at the two maps, pick an answer, then open the working.
Which sentence correctly describes what happened to the car park?
A stronger overview
The overview is the sentence examiners look for first: the main changes, with no small details.
In 2000 there was a farm and now there are houses. The car park is a supermarket now. The school is bigger and there is a cycle path.
- A list of details, not a summary.
- Present tense for the past map.
- Nothing says what stayed the same.
Overall, Westbrook changed from a village with farmland into a more residential area, with new housing in the north and more facilities to the south of the road, while the main road and the shops stayed the same.
- One sentence on the biggest change.
- Groups the details into two areas.
- Says what did not change.
Your turn
Write 150 words on the Westbrook maps in 20 minutes, then check:
- My first sentence paraphrases the task, not copies it.
- My overview names the biggest change and says what stayed the same.
- I grouped changes by area (north of the road, south of the road, the river), not one by one.
- I used the passive for changes and the past simple for 2000.
- Every location phrase is correct when I check it against the map.
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Questions people ask
What tense do I use for IELTS map questions?
Past simple for a map of the past, present simple for a map of today, and the passive for changes: "was replaced", "was built". For a future plan, use "will be" or "is planned to be".
Do I need an overview for a map?
Yes. Task Achievement in the band descriptors asks for an overview. One sentence on the main changes is enough.
How many words for a Task 1 map?
At least 150 words, in about 20 minutes.
Is this map from a real IELTS test?
No. Westbrook is an original map drawn for practice.