Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Maps illustrating urban development in the city of Nelson over time

The maps below show changes in the city of Nelson in recent times.

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

Nelson, 2000

University in the top centre
Trees to the right of the university
Train station to the left of the city centre
Old market to the left of the city centre
City centre in the middle
Road running horizontally below the city centre
Port at the bottom

Nelson, today

Hall of residence to the left of the university
University in the top centre
New shopping centre to the right of the university
New train station below the university
Tramline connecting the university and train station
City centre with bike rental scheme in the middle
New shop to the left of the city centre
New covered market to the right of the city centre
Pedestrian-only road below the city centre
Restaurant to the left of the port
Bars and clubs to the right of the port
Port at the bottom

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 urban transformation of Nelson between 2000 and the present day. Overall, the city has experienced extensive development, with new amenities and transport links replacing older structures, alongside a notable transition towards pedestrianisation.

In 2000, the northern section featured a university and a small wooded area, while the central zone contained a train station and an old market. A standard road separated the city centre from the port area. Today, the landscape has changed considerably. The trees have been replaced by a hall of residence and a new shopping centre. Furthermore, a new train station has been constructed, connected to the university by a tramline. The city centre now incorporates a bike rental scheme, flanked by a new shop and a covered market.

Regarding the southern area, the original road has been converted into a pedestrian-only zone. The port area, which was previously undeveloped, now hosts a restaurant and a complex of bars and clubs. These modifications reflect a clear shift towards enhancing public accessibility and commercial utility within the city, marking a departure from the more industrial and sparse layout observed at the turn of the millennium.

192 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
modernisation: the process of adapting something to modern needs or habits
pedestrianisation: the process of making an area accessible only to pedestrians
incorporates: takes in or contains something as part of a whole
flanked: situated on each side of or on one side of
departure: the action of leaving or a deviation from a previous state

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The city of Nelson has undergone significant modernisation since 2000, characterised by the expansion of transport infrastructure, new commercial facilities, and a shift towards pedestrian-friendly zones.

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.