Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Maps showing the present layout and future development plans for Bunborough: 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.
  • 183 words
  • Maps
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes
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The question

The two maps below show the village of Bunborough in the present day and plans for the village in 2024.

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

Present day

  • Fishing port on the coast
  • Beach to the south of the port
  • Residential area with houses in the north-east
  • Main road running north to south

Plans for 2024

  • New railway line running north to south
  • Train station located in the west
  • Two new hotels built near the coast
  • Promenade replacing the fishing port area
  • Additional houses in the north

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 8183 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The provided maps illustrate the current layout of the village of Bunborough and the planned modifications scheduled for 2024. Overall, the village is set to undergo substantial changes, transitioning from a quiet fishing settlement into a more developed area focused on tourism and improved transport links.

Currently, the village features a fishing port on the coast, adjacent to a beach. A main road runs vertically through the area, with a cluster of houses situated in the north-east. In contrast, the 2024 plan shows the removal of the fishing port, which is to be replaced by a promenade. Furthermore, two new hotels are planned for the coastal area, suggesting an increased focus on accommodating visitors.

Regarding infrastructure, a new railway line is planned to run north to south, accompanied by a new train station located in the west of the village. Additionally, the residential capacity is set to increase, with several new houses planned for the northern part of the village. These developments collectively indicate a strategic effort to modernise Bunborough and enhance its accessibility and appeal as a destination for tourists by 2024.

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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.

  • undergo

    to experience or be subjected to a change

  • transitioning

    changing from one state or condition to another

  • adjacent

    next to or adjoining something else

  • infrastructure

    the basic physical systems of a location

  • collectively

    considered as a whole group or set

  • strategic

    relating to the identification of long-term goals

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The proposed development for 2024 indicates a significant shift from a fishing-based economy to a tourism-oriented one, alongside an expansion of residential and transport infrastructure.

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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