A Simple Guide To Writing Well On IELTS Writing Task 1 - Questions Type 6: A Map

Tips:
- look at the map and make sure you understand what it shows
- use lots of location words
- describe objects, including their shape, size, colour, location, condition, texture, purpose etc.
- check if all the essential information from the picture is in your description
- focus on the key information as there will be too much information for you to describe in great detail
- try to paraphrase words written on the map

Useful vocabulary for describing positions on maps:
- at the top/bottom
- on the right/left side
- in the right/left side
- in the middle
- along
- across from
- opposite to
- close to
- adjacent to
- next to
- beside
- 10 miles from
- 10 miles to the right of
- 10 miles north of

Useful vocabulary for maps:
- residential area: an area that has lots of houses and some schools
- industrial area: an area that has lots of factories
- commercial area: an area that has lots of stores
- warehouse: a building where things are kept until they are sold
- parking lot: an area where people can park cars
- woodland: an area with lots of trees
- intersection: the pint where several streets meet
- to replace sth: to take the place of sth
- to expand: to become larger
- to construct: to build
- to develop: to make
- to remove: to get rid off
- to modify: to change
- to demolish: to destroy a building or other structure completely
- proximity: closeness

Example Reports:
(All reports provided here would achieve Band 8&9)

1.  The map below is of the town of Garlsdon and shows two possible sites for a new supermarket.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
 
The first potential location (S1) is outside the town itself, and is sited just off the main road to the town of Hindon, lying 12 kilometres to the north-west. This site is in the countryside and so would be able to accommodate a lot of car parking. This would make it accessible to shoppers from both Hindon and Garlsdon who could travel by car. Since it is also close to the railway line linking the two towns to Cransdon (25 km to the south-east), a potentially large number of shoppers would also be able to travel by train.
In contrast, the suggested location, S2, is right in the town centre, which would be good for local residents. Theoretically the store could be accessed by road or rail from the surrounding towns, including Bransdon, but as the central area is a no-traffic zone, cars would be unable to park and access would be difficult.
Overall, neither site is appropriate for all the towns, but for customers in Cransdon, Hindon and Garlsdon, the out-of-town site (S1) would probably offer more advantages.

2 The map below shows changes in a village named Chorleywood (1868-1994).
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

 
The map depicts the growth of a village called Chorleywood between 1868 and 1994. It is clear that the village grew as the transport infrastructure was improved. Four periods of development are shown on the map, and each of the populated areas is near to the main roads, the railway of the motorway.
From 1868 to 1883, Chorleywood covered a small area next to one of the main roads. Chorleywood Park and Golf Course is now located next to this original village area. The village grew along the main road to the south between 1883 and 1922, and in 1909 a railway line was built crossing this area from west to east. Chorleywood station is in this part of the village.
The expansion of Chorleywood continued to the east and west alongside the railway line until 1970. At that time, a motorway was built to the east of the village, and from 1970 to 1994, further development of the village took place around motorway intersections with the railway and one of the main roads.

3. Below is a map of the city of Brandfield. City planners have decided to build a new shopping mall for the area, and two sites, S1 and S2 have been proposed.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The map illustrates plans for two possible sites for a shopping mall in the city of Bradfield. It can be seen that the two sites under consideration are in the north and the south east of the town.
The first possible site for the shopping mall, S1, is just north of the city centre, above the railway line, which runs from the south east of the city to the north west. If it is built here, it will be next to a large housing estate, thus providing easy access for those living on the estate and in the city centre. It will also be next to the river, which runs through the town.
The site in the south east, S2, is again just by the railway line and fairly close to the city centre, but it is near to an industrial estate rather than housing.
There is a main road that runs through the city and is close to both sites, thus providing good road access to either location. A large golf course and park in the west of the town prevents this area from being available as a site.