IELTS Writing · Task 1
IELTS Writing Task 1: maps and plans
Two plans of the same place at different times, or before and after a development.
- 3 practice questions
- 20 minutes · 150 words
What the examiner looks for
- The overview states the main kinds of change: what was built, what was removed, what stayed.
- The body places each change with the language of location: to the north of, opposite, in the south-east corner.
- The report is at least 150 words and gives no opinion and no reasons: it says what the figure shows.
Maps and plans questions to practise
1. Kestrel IslandAcademic test: Kestrel Island
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The maps below show an island before and after the construction of facilities for tourists.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
The two maps are drawn to the same scale.
Maps: Kestrel Island, before and after tourist development. Coordinates run 0–100 left to right (west to east) and 0–100 top to bottom (north to south). Before development: - Beach (sand) at about 14,50 - Beach (sand) at about 86,50 - Kestrel Island - Sea After development: - Beach (sand) at about 14,50 - Beach (sand) at about 86,50 - Restaurant (building) at about 50,36 - Reception (building) at about 50,56 - Accommodation (building) at about 26,43 - Accommodation (building) at about 74,43 - Pier (bridge) from 50,78 to 50,92 - Kestrel Island - Sea - Swimming Note: The two maps are drawn to the same scale.
2. The town libraryAcademic test: The town library
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The plans below show the ground floor of a town library in 2005 and the same floor today.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Both plans show the same floor, drawn to the same scale. The entrance is on the south side of the building.
Floor plans: Ground floor of Weston Town Library, 2005 and today. Coordinates run 0–100 left to right (west to east) and 0–100 top to bottom (north to south). 2005: - Fiction (shelves) at about 22,30 - Non-fiction (shelves) at about 50,30 - Reference (shelves) at about 78,30 - Reading tables (study) at about 22,57 - Card catalogue (indoor) at about 50,57 - Newspapers (study) at about 78,57 - Children's books (shelves) at about 22,77 - Entrance (indoor) at about 50,77 - Staff room (staff) at about 78,77 Today: - Fiction (shelves) at about 22,30 - Non-fiction (shelves) at about 50,30 - Computers (study) at about 78,30 - Reading tables (study) at about 22,57 - Self-service (indoor) at about 50,51 - Study rooms (indoor) at about 50,63 - Café (cafe) at about 78,57 - Children's area (shelves) at about 27,77 - Entrance (indoor) at about 55,77 - Meeting room (indoor) at about 78,77 Note: Both plans show the same floor, drawn to the same scale. The entrance is on the south side of the building.
3. Sandford villageAcademic test: Sandford village
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The maps below show the village of Sandford in 1990 and in 2024.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Maps: Sandford in 1990 and 2024. Coordinates run 0–100 left to right (west to east) and 0–100 top to bottom (north to south). 1990: - Farmland (farmland) at about 18,50 - Woodland (woodland) at about 57,10 - Fields (farmland) at about 93,30 - River Sand (river) from 82,0 to 80,100 - Main Street (road) from 50,0 to 50,100 - Bridge Road (road) from 50,55 to 100,55 - Bridge (bridge) from 78,55 to 87,55 - Church (building) at about 43,43 - Village hall (building) at about 60,48 - Shop (building) at about 59,34 - Primary school (building) at about 42,27 - Houses (housing) at about 41,61 - Houses (housing) at about 61,66 2024: - Farmland (farmland) at about 11,50 - Bypass (road) from 30,0 to 30,100 - New housing (housing) at about 30,59 - Woodland (woodland) at about 47,10 - Car park (carpark) at about 69,11 - Fields (farmland) at about 93,30 - River Sand (river) from 82,0 to 80,100 - Main Street (road) from 50,0 to 50,100 - Bridge Road (road) from 50,55 to 100,55 - Bridge (bridge) from 78,55 to 87,55 - Church (building) at about 43,43 - Village hall (building) at about 60,48 - Supermarket (building) at about 62,32 - Primary school (building) at about 42,27 - Houses (housing) at about 41,61 - Houses (housing) at about 63,68 - Sports centre (building) at about 62,85 - Riverside park (green) at about 76,75