Academic Writing Task 1 · map

Maps showing the present layout and future development plans for Bunborough

The two maps below show the village of Bunborough in the present day and plans for the village in 2024.

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

Present day

Fishing port on the coast
Beach to the south of the port
Residential area with houses in the north-east
Main road running north to south

Plans for 2024

New railway line running north to south
Train station located in the west
Two new hotels built near the coast
Promenade replacing the fishing port area
Additional houses in the north

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 current layout of the village of Bunborough and the planned modifications scheduled for 2024. Overall, the village is set to undergo substantial changes, transitioning from a quiet fishing settlement into a more developed area focused on tourism and improved transport links.

Currently, the village features a fishing port on the coast, adjacent to a beach. A main road runs vertically through the area, with a cluster of houses situated in the north-east. In contrast, the 2024 plan shows the removal of the fishing port, which is to be replaced by a promenade. Furthermore, two new hotels are planned for the coastal area, suggesting an increased focus on accommodating visitors.

Regarding infrastructure, a new railway line is planned to run north to south, accompanied by a new train station located in the west of the village. Additionally, the residential capacity is set to increase, with several new houses planned for the northern part of the village. These developments collectively indicate a strategic effort to modernise Bunborough and enhance its accessibility and appeal as a destination for tourists by 2024.

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.

undergo: to experience or be subjected to a change
transitioning: changing from one state or condition to another
adjacent: next to or adjoining something else
infrastructure: the basic physical systems of a location
collectively: considered as a whole group or set
strategic: relating to the identification of long-term goals

Write your own report and get a band

Take a timed Academic writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Practise IELTS Academic writing

On your phone? Get the BandLadder app.

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The proposed development for 2024 indicates a significant shift from a fishing-based economy to a tourism-oriented one, alongside an expansion of residential 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.