IELTS Writing Task 1: Essential Vocabulary and Structures for Describing Maps

1. Vocabulary for Directions and Locations

At the corner of
Basic Directions: Along (the river, street)
North, South, East, West On the (east/west/north/south) side of
Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest
Prepositions:
Relative Locations: In front of
Adjacent to / next to Behind
Opposite Across from / opposite to
Beside Surrounding
To the left/right of On either side of
Near / close to Parallel to
Between

Example Sentences for Directions and Locations:

• The library is located to the east of the main building.
• The park lies opposite the supermarket and adjacent to the post office.
• The residential area is situated in the northeast corner of the map.

2. Vocabulary for Changes Over Time

Renovate / modernize
Change Verbs: Extend / enlarge
Expand / extend
Replace Types of Changes:
Develop / redevelop Residential area → Commercial area
Transform / convert Open land → Housing or industrial area
Relocate / move Farm land → Park or recreational space
Demolish / remove Road added / bypass created
Construct / build / establish Forest cleared for development

Example Sentences for Describing Changes:

• The residential area in the northwest was transformed into a commercial zone over the period.
• A new road was constructed across the map, connecting the town center to the southern residential area.
• The farmland was replaced by an industrial estate.

3. Comparisons and Descriptive Phrases

Phrases for Comparison:

In contrast / By contrast
Compared to
As opposed to
Similarly / Likewise
While / Whereas
Examples of Comparison Sentences:
• In 2000, there was only a small residential area in the north, whereas in 2020, the area had significantly expanded.
• Compared to the southern region, which remained largely undeveloped, the northern part saw extensive development.
• While the eastern side of the map was developed with residential housing, the western side remained largely untouched.

4. Sentence Structures for Describing Changes and Comparisons

Introduction Sentences:
• The two maps illustrate changes in [place] over the period from [year] to [year].
• The maps compare the layout of [place] at two different points in time, [year 1] and [year 2].

Sentence Structures for Describing Changes:

• Over the period shown, [feature] was replaced by [new feature].
• In [year], a [feature] was constructed in the [location].
• The area experienced extensive development, with [feature] being transformed into [new feature].

Sentence Structures for Describing Unchanged Features:

• Throughout the period, the [feature] remained intact.
• The [feature] in the [location] did not undergo any changes over the years.

Complex Sentences Combining Features and Changes:

• Although the residential area expanded to the south, the park in the northwest remained unchanged.
• While new housing developments were added in the north, the factory on the eastern side was replaced by a shopping
center.

5. Common Sentence Structures to Describe Maps

Passive Voice for Emphasis on Changes:

• A new road was constructed connecting the north and south areas.
• Several buildings were demolished to make way for the park.

Using Clauses to Combine Ideas:

• The hospital, which was located to the east of the river, was relocated to the west side in 2015.
• While the north side remained residential, the southern area saw the development of new infrastructure.

Sequential Descriptions for Clear Flow:

• Initially, the area was a small village with few houses. Over time, it developed into a bustling town, with additional
roads and amenities.
• At the beginning of the period, the town consisted of a few buildings. Later, a railway line was added, and new housing
areas emerged.
6. Sample Description of a Map
Imagine a map showing a small village in 2000 and its transformation into a town by 2020.

Introduction:
The maps illustrate the transformation of a village into a town from 2000 to 2020.

Overview:
Overall, the area experienced significant urban development, with the addition of residential zones, a shopping area, and
new roads, while some original features remained intact.

Body Paragraph 1 - Description of Changes:

In 2000, the village consisted of a few houses concentrated on the eastern side, with a single road running north to south.
Over the 20-year period, new residential areas were constructed in the northern and western parts. Additionally, a large
shopping center was developed in the southeast corner, connected by a new road network.

Body Paragraph 2 - Details and Comparisons:

Compared to 2000, when open land covered the western half, the 2020 map shows extensive urbanization in this area. A
school and a park were added to the southwest corner, providing recreational space for residents. In contrast, the eastern
region remained largely residential, although the number of houses increased.

7. Important Tips for IELTS Map Description

• Use Precise Language: Be clear and concise; avoid unnecessary details.
• Group Information Logically: Describe changes in distinct areas separately to maintain clarity.
• Include Overview in Every Response: This gives a summary of main changes or stability.

Additional Examples of Sentence Structures for Describing Changes and Comparisons

Describing Addition or Expansion:

• A new [feature, e.g., shopping center] was added to the eastern side of the area.
• [Feature] was extended along the northern boundary to accommodate more [residents/shops].
• The green space was enlarged, taking up more land on the western side of the town.

Describing Replacement or Conversion:

• [Feature A, e.g., residential area] was converted into [Feature B, e.g., a commercial zone] over the period.
• In place of the old [school], a modern shopping mall was built to the south.
• [Feature] in the northeast was replaced by [new feature], transforming the area into a more urban environment.

Describing Removal or Demolition:

• The [warehouse] was removed to make way for a public park.
• Several old buildings were demolished to provide space for new infrastructure.
• By [year], the industrial zone had been cleared and replaced with residential housing.

Comparing Two Points in Time:

• By [year], the [feature, e.g., main road] was significantly expanded, unlike its size in the earlier map.
• While the northern area remained largely the same, the southern part experienced considerable changes.
• In contrast to the [original feature] in the west, the east side underwent urbanization during this period.
Describing Multiple Changes in the Same Area:
• The [feature, e.g., hospital], which was originally located in the northern part, was relocated to the city center, and in its
place, a [feature] was constructed.
• The park was redesigned, with additional benches and walking paths added to the layout.

Using Time Markers for Progression:

• By [year], [Feature A] had been replaced by [Feature B], and subsequently new buildings were added around it.
• After the addition of [feature] in [year], the area became more accessible, leading to further development.

Additional Common Sentence Structures to Describe Maps

Using Passive Voice to Emphasize Changes:

• A large housing complex was introduced to the western side, replacing the previously empty field.
• Several roads were added to improve connectivity between the northern and southern areas.
• The old industrial buildings were taken down, with a new recreational park put in their place.

Using Conditional Structures to Compare Before and After:

• If compared to the previous layout, the area now has more commercial facilities.
• In contrast to the earlier map, one would notice that the previously open space has been filled with new residential
buildings.

Combining Descriptions with Clauses:

• The school, which was situated to the south, was moved to the northern part of the map, where it now sits adjacent to a
newly added library.
• Although the park remained unchanged, new pathways and benches were added, making it more accessible.

Expressing Continuity and Gradual Change:

• Over the course of [time period], the town expanded gradually toward the south.
• By the end of the period, more facilities had been established, creating a more complex layout.

Sequential Descriptions to Show Development Over Time:

• At the start of the period, the town center was small with few structures; however, over time, it evolved into a bustling
area with more amenities.
• Initially, only a single road connected the residential areas, but over time, additional roads were constructed, linking
different parts of the town.

Describing Stability and Unchanged Features:

• While most of the town underwent significant development, the northern forest remained untouched throughout the
period.
• The river continued to flow along the eastern border, with no changes to its course.

Using Parallel Structure for Describing Similar Changes in Different Areas:

• Both the north and south sections of the town saw the construction of new housing estates, reflecting a growth in
population.
• Similarly, the western and eastern parts were developed into industrial zones, indicating a shift in land use.

Using “Whereas” for Contrasting Changes:

• Whereas the western region was transformed into a commercial hub, the eastern part remained residential.
• In [year], the southern area was primarily agricultural, whereas by [year], it had become an industrial zone.