IELTS Writing Task 1: Diagram writing; two maps showing changes, with details, strategies and model answer

August 9, 2018June 20, 2023

This writing task 1 post focuses on how to write a good answer to diagrams such as changes in the same place, maps or plans. A detailed explanation of the structure of the task is given here along with some vocabulary and strategies. The model answer which is given here as an example can easily get you a band 7.5 score more.

In the IELTS writing module, sometimes candidates have to describe changes in a map in task 1. This type of question is becoming progressively trendier. Some of my students recently encountered this question last month in Asian regions. What I believe is that a question like this is actually very easy to work out, if we practice it in a well-organized way.

Types of the question:

Well, there are actually many types of this question. Some of them are:

Describing a map at the present time.
Describing two maps – one in the present and the other in the past
Describing two maps – one in the present and the other in the future
Describing three maps – one in the present, another in the past and the other in the future
Describing two maps – both in the past time

Strategies for writing:

Here are some strategies which you can follow to answer this task easily and for achieving a higher band.

Remember that you must write a minimum of 150 words.
You must focus on all the major and eye-catching information and describe them in brief.
Do not explain your answer too much. You won’t get more marks for writing more.
Your vocabulary range will define your writing level. So, use linkers and uncommon words for the description. Try to use words and phrases which describe the changes in the maps clearly such as converted, transformed, moved, replaced etc.
Your answer must contain an introduction, an overview (if possible), a detailed description, and a closing statement.
Remember to paraphrase the title of the Task 1 question. Never copy the title directly from the question.
In the description part, use The Present Indefinite Tense for describing the current picture of the town; while describing the picture of the past time, you need to use the Past Indefinite Tense.

Describing the locations:

In this task, the examiner will expect an answer where you can clearly show the locations of various landmarks and where the changes are.

To describe different locations, first, you need to find out whether there is a compass in the pictures. If there is a compass, you should use the east, west, north, south, etc. If there is no compass, you can use phrases like on the left, on the right, in front of, beside, behind etc.

Here are some example sentences:

The field is to the west of the road.
There are some boats on the river.
An industrial zone was set up on the far north side of the village.
There are three small roadside inns by Arlington Road.
The wooden bridge was replaced by a steel-made bridge.

Here, I’m going to detail about two maps of the same place and the changes that took place in the past time.

Let’s have a look at the question:

The maps show changes in a local industrial village of England called Stamdorf between 1985 and 2015.

Model answer:

The depicted maps are a clear illustration of the changes that took place in three decades in a local industrial village named Stamdorf that is located in England. Overall, a massive transformation took place in the village and many new facilities have been added.

In the picture of 1985, the village of Stamdorf looks very basic. The River Thames went through and dissected the village. A wooden bridge was constructed to connect the two sides of the village. On the northwest corner, there were three small roadside inns on the north side by the road and opposite those inns, a field was placed. Moreover, on the southeast side, a big factory was erected. Besides, the plantations beautified the area.

However, in the picture of 2015, many planned changes are observed. The wooden bridge was replaced with a steel-made bridge. Furthermore, the small inns were shifted to the southeast corner. The big factory was demolished and a completely new industrial zone was assembled on the far north side with two industrial staff quarters. Also, the field was relocated to the southwest corner by the river. Two housing estates were established, one was built on the west side and the other on the south side.

(200 words)