Task 1 - Map
📌 IELTS Writing Task 1 Overview
Task 1 always includes the following three elements:
▸ 1) A Brief Description of the Graphic
• A short section explaining what the graphic is
▸ 2) Instructions
• "Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words."
▸ 3) Graphics
• Line graph
• Bar chart
• Pie chart
• Table
• Map
• Process diagram
• Multiple charts (a combination of the above charts)
▸ Key Requirements
Task 1 mainly tests whether you can:
→ 1. Identify the most important information
→ 2. Group information logically
→ 3. Compare data clearly
→ 4. Describe trends and changes
→ 5. Use accurate grammar and vocabulary
→ 6. Avoid unnecessary or invented details
📌 Map Task Overview
▸ What Map Tasks Usually Show
Map tasks usually compare the same place at different times. They may show:
• a past and present version of a place
• a present and future development plan
• three stages of development
• two different proposed layouts
• changes before and after construction
Your job is to describe the main physical differences, not every small object on the map.
▸ Essay Structure for Map Tasks
◆ 1) Introduction
→ Paraphrase the description of the maps
◆ 2) Overview Paragraph
→ Summarize 2–3 of the most prominent changes
→ Mention the overall transformation of the area
→ Do not describe every detail
Possible overview points:
→ the area became more developed
→ more housing was added
→ green space was reduced
→ transport facilities improved
→ commercial facilities expanded
→ the basic road layout remained unchanged
→ the area changed from rural to urban
→ several facilities were replaced by newer buildings
◆ 3) Body Paragraph 1
Describe the first main group of changes. Possible grouping methods:
→ changes in the northern/western part
→ added facilities
→ transport and access changes
→ major developments
◆ 4) Body Paragraph 2
Describe the remaining major changes. Possible grouping methods:
→ changes in the southern/eastern part
→ removed or replaced features
→ unchanged features
→ recreational or green-space changes
※ No conclusion needed.
📌 Direction and Location Language
Map tasks require clear location language. Useful phrases:
• in the north/south/east/west
• in the northern part of the area
• to the north of
• south of
• next to
• opposite
• beside
• near
• around
• in the center of
• at the entrance
• along the road
• on the left/right side of the map
📌 Reminders
• Spend only 20 minutes on Task 1 — Task 1 is worth half of the Task 2 score.
• Do not describe every small feature — Focus on the main physical changes.
• Use passive voice often — Map tasks usually describe changes made to places, so passive structures are useful: was built, was removed, was replaced by.
• Mention what stayed the same — Unchanged features are often important in map tasks.
• Use location language clearly — The examiner must understand where each change happened.
• Be careful with tense — Use past tense for past-to-present changes and future forms for proposed developments.
• Do not explain reasons — Do not write why the changes happened unless the map directly states it.
• Describe the overall transformation — For example, the area became more residential, commercial, modernized, urbanized, or developed.