Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Development of tourist facilities on a small island

The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourist facilities.

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

Island before and after development

Before

Beach on the west side
Sea surrounding the island
Palm trees scattered across the island

After

Beach on the west side designated for swimming
Accommodation huts built in two clusters
Central reception building
Restaurant building north of reception
Pier on the south side
Footpaths connecting all facilities
Vehicle track connecting the pier to the reception

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.

Band 8 sample answer

The provided maps illustrate the transformation of an island following the construction of various tourist facilities. Overall, the island has been significantly developed, changing from a largely untouched natural landscape into a structured resort destination with improved access and amenities.

Before the development, the island was almost entirely natural, featuring only a beach on the western side and scattered palm trees across the land. The surrounding area consisted solely of sea, with no man-made structures or paths present.

Following the construction, the island now features a range of tourist facilities. A cluster of accommodation huts has been built, with some located in the west near the beach and a larger circular group situated in the east. A central reception area has been established, connected to a restaurant located to its north. Access to the island has been improved through the addition of a pier on the southern shore, which is linked to the reception via a vehicle track. Furthermore, a network of footpaths now connects all the accommodation units and main buildings, while the western beach has been specifically designated for swimming activities.

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

How to write about 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.

transformation: a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance
untouched: not handled, used, or altered by anyone
amenities: useful or desirable features of a building or place
designated: officially assigned a specified status or name
infrastructure: the basic physical systems of a business or location
network: a group or system of interconnected people or things

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The island underwent significant transformation, evolving from an undeveloped natural area into a structured tourist resort featuring accommodation, dining, and transport infrastructure.

How long should an IELTS Task 1 answer be?

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 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.