Task 1 Map Questions (IELTS Tips & Samples)
In the IELTS Academic Writing test, a Task 1 map question usually comes as a shock to candidates.
However, they appear in about 1 out of every 8 tests, so you need to be prepared.
In this lesson, you’ll learn to follow 4 practical steps and see them being used in 3 sample answers, as well as learn all the vocabulary and grammar tenses you’ll need.
Lesson Contents:
- 4 Steps for High Task 1 Map Scores
- Task 1 Map Question #1
- Task 1 Map Question #2
- Task 1 Map Question #3
4 Steps for High Task 1 Map Scores
The way you answer an IELTS Task 1 map question is essentially the same as any Task 1 question.
In fact, the IELTS examiner will use the exact same band descriptors to determine your score.
Step 1 – Analyse the Task 1 Map Question
An IELTS Task 1 map question shows two maps of one location, and each map is from a different year.
Analysing the question is much like spot the difference puzzles where we find which things in each map are the same and which are different.
List each similarity and difference under the following categories;
- Same –
- Gone (replaced by) –
- Changed –
- New –
As you write the answer, cross off each similarity and difference as you describe it.
Step 2 – Write Paragraph 1
Like all Task 1 answers, the first paragraph has a paraphrase and an overview.
Writing the Paraphrase
To write a paraphrase, you simply rewrite the question in your own words.
Your primary focus is to write a paraphrase with the exact same meaning as the question.
If you need to copy some words from the question, that’s okay.
To paraphrase, divide the question into smaller parts and rewrite them in order.
For example, the question below has been divided into four sections, each with a different colour.
Sample Paraphrase;
The maps display the centre of a small town based on how it was in 1962 and its current appearance.
Writing the Overview
An overview is a general description of the maps with no specific information.
In the overview, write one or both of the following;
- A general description of the maps.
- A general description of the changes.
General Description of the Maps
Describe any significant features that are in both maps.
This could be the shape, the size, a central feature or a road that runs through the map.
Just make sure that the description is accurate for both maps.
General Description of the Changes
To describe the general changes, we can say things like;
- The area is more built up.
- There is an increase/decrease in the size of the natural area/industrial area/residential area/commercial area/retail area.
- There are more/fewer industrial/residential/commercial/retail buildings.
- There are more/fewer amenities/facilities.
Step 3 – Write Paragraphs 2 and 3
We refer to these as the details paragraphs as they describe the specific similarities and differences between the two maps.
Firstly, consider the order in which you’ll describe the features.
It’s best to have a logical flow through the map rather than randomly listing the differences.
Secondly, decide which features will be in each paragraph.
Put roughly the same number in each one.
After that, write the paragraphs.
Step 4 – Proofread Your Answer
You should aim to have 5 minutes after writing your answer to find and correct your typical writing mistakes.
You can also improve your range of vocabulary at this time by replacing words you’ve used a lot.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Map Question #1
Task 1 Map Analysis of Question #1
- Same: road
- Gone (replaced by): farm (new building and extended car park)
- Changed: first building is for outpatients
- New: roundabouts and roads, ambulance entrance
Task 1 Map Sample Answer #1
The maps display the University Hospital in Kingston as it was in 1990 and again in 2020. Overall, Nessan’s Road runs from east to west at the bottom, and the hospital is situated above this. By 2020, the main change is that the farmland had been replaced with infrastructure for the hospital.
The farmland that stood in the northeast of the map had been replaced by a new hospital building used for inpatients, and the area of farmland in the east was being used as additional parking spaces in 2020. The original hospital building in the northwest of the map was being used exclusively for treating outpatients in 2020.
At the west end of Nessan’s Road, a new entrance had been added specifically for ambulances with a road leading to the outpatient building. To the east, the old entrance became the public entrance, and that road to the hospital had two roundabouts built on it; the first giving access to the parking area and the second for accessing a new road that extends to the east. This new road ends at a third roundabout for entering the inpatient building or the northern entrance to the parking facility.
Comments on Sample Answer #1
While Paraphrasing
When paraphrasing the question, I used the word map again as there isn’t a suitable synonym for this word.
Ensuring the Overview isn’t Specific
In my overview, I used the word ‘infrastructure‘ as it doesn’t communicate any specific information.
This ensured that my overview contained a general description rather than a specific one which would significantly reduce my Task Achievement score.
Which Vocabulary is Acceptable
When describing the map, I can use vocabulary like ‘the bottom’ and ‘above’, but it’s best to use the compass points when describing the hospital.
Evenly Dividing the Features
To have a similar number of features in my details paragraphs, I grouped ‘Gone (replaced by)‘ with ‘Changed‘ for the first one.
Grammar Tenses
Here I will describe the reasons for some of the grammar tenses used in the sample answer.
- Passive structures are essential for map questions because the focus needs to be on the changes, not the people who made them.
- Present simple is used to refer to what’s on the map. For example, ‘The maps display…’
- Past simple is used to describe the location in 1990 and 2020. For example, ‘The farmland that stood…‘
- Past perfect is used to describe actions completed between 1990 and 2020. For example, ‘The farmland had been replaced…‘
Additional Vocabulary for Question #1
Here are alternative ways to say; ‘The farmland that stood in the northeast of the map had been replaced by a new hospital building used for inpatients.‘
The farmland that stood in the northeast of the map was no longer there as it had been developed into a new hospital building used for inpatients.
The hospital grounds expanded into the farmland that stood in the northeast of the map, where a new hospital building for inpatients was built.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Map Question #2
Task 1 Map Analysis of Question #2
- Same: restrooms, romance, thriller, entrance
- Gone (replaced by): N/A
- Changed: fantasy, mystery, seating, main area, kid’s books
- New: extension, computer room, kids area, kid’s seating, staffroom, store, two entrances
Task 1 Map Sample Answer #2
The illustration shows the floor plans of a public library now and after its intended development. Overall, it’s a one-floor building and has steps leading up to the entrance. The main difference is that the library will be extended to the east, roughly doubling its size to allow for the addition of extra facilities.
After the extension, on the east side of the library, there will be a new entrance into a kid’s area where the kid’s books will be moved, and additional seating will be added. To the south of the kid’s area will be a computer room, and to the north will be a store and a staff room with its own staff entrance.
The existing library space will become the main area and will be narrower due to an internal wall constructed from the north to the south end of the building. The male and female restrooms, original entrance, and sections for romance and thriller will all remain unchanged within this area. However, the seating, fantasy and mystery sections will be relocated closer to the west side of the building to accommodate the changes.
Comments on Sample Answer #2
Paraphrase Mistake
In my paraphrase, I had initially used the word ‘renovating’ but, while proofreading, I realised that this word isn’t a suitable synonym, so I replaced it with the word ‘development’ from the question instead.
Overview Difficulties
In the overview, I found it quite difficult to find features to include in the general description of the maps because they had hardly any similarities that weren’t specific.
If you are answering an IELTS Task 1 map question and this happens to you, it’s okay only to include a general description of the changes.
When to Group Features
It’s essential to mention all the features on the map in your answer, and to help with this; it’s okay to group them sometimes.
This is especially true when mentioning things that hadn’t changed like this sentence; ‘The male and female restrooms, original entrance, and sections for romance and thriller will all remain unchanged within this area.‘
However, this is only suitable as they are all in the sample area.
Grammar Tenses
Here are the main tenses in the sample answer and why they were used;
- Present simple is used as the map on the left shows what the library is like now. For example, ‘it’s a one-floor building.’
- Simple Future Tense is used to describe the building after the development is completed in the future. For example, ‘There will be a new entrance.‘
- Passive structures are important again to describe any changes made by people. For example, ‘the library will be extended…‘
Additional Vocabulary for Question #2
Here is an alternative way to say this part of the sample essay;
‘The male and female restrooms will remain unchanged.’
- The male and female restrooms won’t undergo any changes.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Map Question #3
Task 1 Map Analysis of Question #3
- Same: 5 houses, police, school, post, windmill
- Gone (replaced by): forest (high road with houses), shop (supermarket), farm (petrol station)
- Changed: N/A
- New: dam, cafe
Task 1 Map Sample Answer #3
The maps display a countryside town in 1983 and its current appearance. Overall, Main Road cuts through the centre from west to east and is intersected roughly halfway by the River May, which extends from north to south. The main changes are an increase in residential and commercial buildings.
In the west, the five houses already erected in 1983 are still standing, and to the west of the River May, the school, to the north, and police station, to the south of Main Road, have remained unchanged. On the far side of the river, the post office is still in place, as is the windmill further to the south.
East of the post office, Munster Road connects with Main Road, where a petrol station has replaced the farm. Travelling southeastward on Munster Road, a cafe is seen to have been built. Returning to Main Road, on the east side of the town, a supermarket has taken the place of the shop. Moving to the northwest corner of the map, the forest has been cleared to make way for a cul-de-sac named High Road lined with an additional nine houses. Finally, on the northern end of the May River, a dam has been constructed.
Comments on Sample Answer #3
Being Extra Careful
Because there are so many features in this question, I was cautious while analysing as I was worried that I would miss something.
To get a high score, we need to mention every feature in our answer, so I actually went through each map several times.
Guiding the Reader
When writing an IELTS Task 1 map answer, we need to imagine that the reader doesn’t have the map and that our descriptions are the only information they will see.
With this in mind, my main focus while writing the answer above was to help the reader easily imagine where they were at all times.
This is why one-third of the word count in this essay is used for this purpose.
In the map below, you can see all the language from the essay used to guide the reader.
Grammar Tenses
- Present simple is used to describe the things that stayed the same. For example, ‘the post office is still in place.’
- Present continuous is used to describe what the buildings are doing. For example, ‘the houses are still standing.’
- Present perfect is used to describe changes between 1983 and now. For example, ‘the school has remained unchanged.’
- Passive structures, yet again, are necessary. For example, ‘a dam has been constructed.‘
Additional Vocabulary for Question #3
Here are alternative ways to say; ‘A supermarket has taken the place of the shop.’
- The shop has been demolished/knocked down, and a supermarket has taken its place.
What now?
The first thing to do is review the three sample answers in this lesson and learn any new vocabulary.
My strategy for improving vocabulary will help you with this task.
Once you’ve learned all the vocabulary, you’ll be ready to describe any map.
After that, you’ll need to practice writing IELTS Task 1 map answers. You can sign up below for access to additional questions.
Of course, you’ll also need to understand how the examiner scores the bands; Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Vocabulary and Grammar.
You’ll also need to prepare yourself for the other question types, so make sure to complete my lessons on how to write an overview and how to write an answer for Task 1 graphs and the process question lesson.
You can also review this lesson and see more sample answers in this video.