IELTS Map Essay Writing Guide

Overview

• IELTS map questions are considered the easiest task in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.
• Typically involves comparing 2 or 3 maps of the same location at different times (past, present, or future).
• Occasionally, only a single map is presented.
• The objective is to describe the changes between maps.

Steps for Writing a High-Scoring IELTS Map Essay

1. Analyse the Question
2. Identify the Main Features
3. Write an Introduction
4. Write an Overview
5. Write the Details Paragraphs

Importance of Planning

• Emphasizes the importance of properly completing steps 1 and 2.
• Planning should take about 5 minutes, leaving 15 minutes for writing.

Essay Structure

• Paragraph 1: Introduction
• Paragraph 2: Overview
• Paragraph 3: 1st Main Feature
• Paragraph 4: 2nd Main Feature

Practice Question Example

• Maps Provided: Village of Stokeford in 1930 and 2010.
• Objective: Summarize information by highlighting main features and making comparisons.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Analyse the Question

• All Academic Task 1 questions have a similar format:
  • Sentence 1: Brief description of the graphic
  • Sentence 2: Instructions
  • The graphic: Map, chart, graph, table, etc.
• Focus on selecting, writing about, and comparing the main features.

Step 2: Identify the Main Features

• Start with the earliest map, identify key features, and note changes in later maps.
• Ask guiding questions:
  • What time periods are shown?
  • What are the main differences between the maps?
  • What features have remained the same?
• Consider directional language: north, south, east, west, etc.
• Example Features:
  • Farmland was built upon.
  • Large house converted to a retirement home.
  • School enlarged.
  • Shops disappeared.

Step 3: Write an Introduction

• Paraphrase the question using synonyms and changing sentence structure.
  • Example: "The two maps illustrate how the village of Stokeford, situated on the east bank of the River Stoke, changed from 1930 to 2010."

Step 4: Write an Overview

• Describe the general changes without getting into details yet.
  • Example: "Considerable development transformed the village from rural to residential."

Step 5: Write the 1st Detail Paragraph

• Provide detailed information for the first 1 or 2 key features.
  • Example: "Housing presence in 2010 replaced farmland from 1930; school was extended."

Step 6: Write the 2nd Detail Paragraph

• Provide details for the remaining key features.
  • Example: "Large house converted into a retirement home; shops north-west of school were replaced by houses."

Final Notes

• Sample IELTS map essay is typically well over the minimum word limit.
• Essential to select a few key features to write about in detail.
• Practice is crucial to improve speed and efficiency in writing the essay within 20 minutes.

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Additional Resources

• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 lessons, sample questions, vocabulary, and grammar guides.