How to Describe Maps in IELTS Writing Task 1 (Before & After)

Map questions in IELTS Writing Task 1 ask you to describe changes to a place over time or to compare two proposed plans for development. While they appear less frequently than data-based questions, maps catch many candidates off guard because they require a completely different set of vocabulary and skills.

This guide covers everything you need to describe maps effectively and achieve or higher.

Types of Map Questions

Before-and-After Maps

The most common type. You are given two maps of the same area at different points in time and must describe what changed. For example, a village in 1990 and the same village in 2020.

Two Alternative Plans

You are shown two proposed plans for development of an area and must compare them. For example, Plan A and Plan B for a new shopping centre.

Single Map

Occasionally, you may see a single map and need to describe the layout of a location. This is rare but possible.

Essential Location Vocabulary

Map descriptions require location-specific language that you would rarely use in other Task 1 types:

Compass Directions

• "in the north/south/east/west of the area"
• "to the northeast/southwest of the park"
• "in the northern/southern part of the town"
• "on the eastern/western side"

Prepositions of Place

• "adjacent to / next to / alongside"
• "opposite / across from"
• "in the centre of / in the middle of"
• "on the outskirts / on the edge / on the periphery"
• "surrounded by / enclosed by"
• "between X and Y"
• "at the intersection of / at the junction of"
• "along the river / road / coastline"

Describing Changes

• "was converted into / was transformed into"
• "was replaced by / was demolished and replaced by"
• "was extended / was expanded / was enlarged"
• "was constructed / was built / was erected"
• "was removed / was knocked down / was cleared"
• "remained unchanged / was retained / was left intact"
• "was relocated to / was moved to"
• "a new X was added / introduced"

Step-by-Step Approach

Step 1: Compare the Maps Carefully (3 Minutes)

This is crucial. Systematically compare the two maps by scanning from one area to another:

1. Start in the north and work your way south (or any consistent direction)
2. For each feature, ask: "Is this the same, changed, or new?"
3. Note what was removed, what was added, and what stayed the same
4. Identify the biggest change overall

Step 2: Write the Introduction

Paraphrase the question. Map introductions often specify the location, the time periods, and the nature of the comparison.

Original: "The two maps below show the town of Millford in 1980 and 2020."

Paraphrased: "The maps illustrate the changes that took place in the town of Millford over a forty-year period between 1980 and 2020."

Step 3: Write the Overview

Your overview should capture the overall nature of the transformation:

• Did the area urbanise? Industrialise? Modernise?
• Was the change dramatic or minor?
• What are the one or two most significant changes?

Example: "Overall, Millford underwent significant development over the period, transforming from a small rural settlement into a considerably larger residential area. The most notable changes were the construction of a housing estate in the south and the replacement of farmland with commercial facilities."

Step 4: Write Body Paragraphs

Organise by area (northern part, then southern part) or by type of change (new constructions, then demolitions/replacements). Avoid describing one map completely and then the other — this makes comparison difficult.

Sample Answer: Before-and-After Maps

Task: The maps show the village of Ryeford in 2000 and 2025.

Description of the maps: In 2000, Ryeford had a small cluster of houses around a village green in the centre, a church to the north, farmland to the east and south, a primary school to the west, and a single road running east-west through the village. By 2025, the village had expanded significantly.

Introduction: The two maps compare the layout of Ryeford village in 2000 with its development by 2025.

Overview: Overall, the village experienced substantial growth over the twenty-five-year period, with much of the surrounding farmland giving way to residential and commercial development. Despite this expansion, several original features, including the church and the village green, were preserved.

Body Paragraph 1: The most significant changes occurred in the eastern and southern parts of the village. The farmland that previously occupied the entire eastern area was cleared to make way for a new housing estate comprising approximately thirty homes, served by a network of new residential roads. Similarly, the agricultural land to the south was replaced by a shopping centre and an adjacent car park, both accessible from a new road connecting to the original east-west route.

Body Paragraph 2: In the northern and western areas, the changes were less dramatic but still noteworthy. The church in the north remained in its original position; however, a small community centre was constructed alongside it. To the west, the primary school was extended, with a new wing added to its southern side. A sports field was also created behind the school where an area of open land had previously existed. The village green in the centre was retained, continuing to serve as the focal point of the settlement, although a footpath was added connecting it to the new housing estate.

Key Techniques Demonstrated

1. Comparative language throughout — "was replaced by," "was extended," "remained"
2. Spatial organisation — East/south in paragraph 1, north/west in paragraph 2
3. Overview captures the big picture — Farmland converted to housing and commercial use
4. Mix of change and continuity — Notes what was preserved as well as what changed
5. Passive voice — Appropriate for describing changes to places

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Describing each map separately — This is the biggest structural error. Always compare and contrast as you go.
2. Forgetting compass directions — Without spatial language, your description becomes vague and hard to follow.
3. Ignoring unchanged features — Noting what stayed the same demonstrates thoroughness and is part of a complete description.
4. Being too vague — "Many things changed" is not specific enough. State exactly what was built, removed, or modified.
5. Using first-person — Never write "I can see" or "When I look at the map." Use impersonal constructions.

Practice Strategy

Map questions require a specific vocabulary set that you should prepare in advance:

1. Learn location prepositions — Make flashcards with prepositions and practise using them to describe your own neighbourhood
2. Study real maps — Describe changes in your local area over time as practice
3. Write under timed conditions — Use CambPrep's writing practice for Task 1 map descriptions
4. Check your spatial clarity — After writing, ask: "Could someone draw a rough map from my description?" If not, add more location detail

If you want to experience map questions alongside other Task 1 types in a realistic exam setting, try our exam simulator for timed practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I describe a map if there are no compass directions shown?

Use relative directions instead: "to the left/right of," "at the top/bottom of the map," "in the upper-left corner." You can also use landmarks as reference points: "adjacent to the river" or "opposite the main entrance."

Should I describe every building and feature on the map?

No. Focus on the most significant changes and the features that help orient the reader. Minor details like individual trees or unnamed small buildings can usually be omitted unless they are part of an important change.

What tense should I use for before-and-after maps?

Use the past simple for the earlier map ("there was a field") and either the past simple or present perfect for the changes ("the field was replaced by" or "the field has been replaced by"). For the current state, present simple works well ("the area now contains a shopping centre").

How do I handle map questions about future plans?

If the maps show proposed future developments, use future forms and modal verbs: "the park will be relocated," "a new road is planned," "the existing buildings would be demolished to make room for." The overview should reflect that these are planned rather than completed changes.