Academic Writing Task 1 · map

A diagram illustrating the layout of a proposed town development plan: IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 1 map question with a Band 8 sample answer, the chart redrawn with its data, the vocabulary that lifts the report and how to write about maps.
  • 194 words
  • Maps
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The diagram below shows the proposed town.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Proposed Town Plan

Proposed Town

  • Housing (H) distributed in the outer and inner sectors
  • Roads (R) forming a cross-shaped intersection
  • Ring Roads (RR) encircling the central area
  • Industry located in the top-left and bottom-right corners
  • Parking (P) situated near the central intersection
  • Bus stand (B) located near the central intersection
  • Recreational Areas (shaded) situated in the central and lower-left sectors

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8194 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The provided diagram illustrates the layout of a proposed town, highlighting the distribution of various facilities including housing, transport infrastructure, and industrial zones. Overall, the town is designed with a symmetrical structure, featuring a central hub connected by a network of roads and a ring road, while residential and industrial areas are strategically placed in different sectors.

At the heart of the town, there is a central intersection where the main roads meet. This area is supported by essential transport facilities, specifically a bus stand and parking zones. Encircling this central hub is a ring road, which acts as a boundary between the inner residential blocks and the outer sections of the town. Housing units, marked as 'H', are distributed throughout the town, occupying most of the available space in both the inner and outer sectors.

In contrast, industrial zones are confined to two specific areas: the top-left and bottom-right corners of the map. Furthermore, recreational areas, indicated by shaded blocks, are integrated into the central and lower-left parts of the town, providing leisure spaces for residents. The overall design suggests a clear separation between residential, industrial, and transport-related zones to ensure functional efficiency.

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Maps

How to write about maps: tips and vocabulary

  • →Overview: how much the area changed and what stayed the same.
  • →Use location language: to the north of, adjacent to, replaced by.
  • →Group changes by area or by type, such as housing, roads and green space.
  • distributed

    spread out over a particular area or space

  • encircling

    forming a circle around or surrounding something completely

  • confined

    restricted or limited to a specific area

  • strategic

    planned to achieve a specific long-term goal

  • integrated

    combined with other things to form a whole

  • functional

    designed to be practical and useful rather than attractive

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The proposed town plan features a central hub surrounded by a ring road, with residential areas occupying the majority of the space and industrial zones restricted to the periphery.

How many words and how long for IELTS Writing Task 1?+

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How is IELTS Writing Task 1 scored?+

On four criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. A clear overview of the main features is what most separates Band 6 from Band 7 and above.

How do I describe maps?+

Overview: how much the area changed and what stayed the same. Use location language: to the north of, adjacent to, replaced by. Group changes by area or by type, such as housing, roads and green space.

Keep practising

More maps

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