Different kinds of map questions:

Describe one map in the present day.

Describe two maps- one in the present and one in the future.

Describe two maps- one in the past and one in the present.

The first kind is very rare, as it only requires you to use the present simple, and no comparisons
can be made.

The second kind occasionally comes up and requires you to use present and future tenses. This
kind of question is normally about the future development of a town or city. It requires the
same vocabulary as the other two.

The third is the most common and will be the main focus.

You will normally be shown two maps, and asked to select and report the main features and
make comparisons where relevant. You will obviously use both present and past tenses to
describe the maps and how the town has developed.

Also, as this is a man-made process, we will use the passive.

How to Describe Specific Changes

The ability to describe change is crucial to answering these questions. The various buildings and features
will normally be labelled for you. You need to work on how to write about how they have changed from
the past up until the present day.

There is a list of various buildings, features, and verbs we could use to describe their change.

Buildings– demolished, knocked down, flattened, replaced, renovated, built, constructed,

reconstructed, developed, extended, expanded, relocated, converted and modernized.

Examples:

The government demolished the industrial estate and developed a sports ground.

They removed the shops and replaced them with a skyscraper.

A port was constructed at the edge of the river.

The factory in the city centre was demolished and relocated to the city’s north.

The old warehouses were replaced with new hotels.

The factory was converted into apartments.

Trees and Forests- cleared, cut down, chopped down, removed, planted.

Examples:

The forest was cut down and replaced with a shopping centre.

The trees were cleared to make way for houses.

Roads, bridges and railways lines- constructed, built, extended, expanded and removed.

The main road was extended, and a new bridge was built over the river.
Leisure facilities- opened, set up, developed.

Examples:

A skate park was set up next to the swimming pool.

A park was developed beside the forest.

How to Describe General Changes

As this is an IELTS writing task 1 question, we must write an overview, where we generally talk about the
main changes between the two maps.

Below are some examples of general statements we could use to describe change in towns and cities.

1. Over the period, the area witnessed dramatic changes.

2. From 1995 to 2005, the city centre saw spectacular developments.

3. The village changed considerably over the period.

4. During the 10-year period, the industrial area was totally transformed.

5. Over the past 20 years, the residential area was totally reconstructed.

6. Over the period, the old docks were totally redeveloped.

7. Between 1995 and 2005, the old houses were rebuilt.

8. The central business district was completely modernised during the period.

Pick two or three of the most noticeable differences in the map and write a general statement for each.
This will be your overview paragraph.

The more specific changes should be included in your main body paragraphs.

How to Describe Locations

You will also be expected to describe where things are maps and describe where changes have occurred.

You can use ‘to the left’ and ‘to the right’, but a better way is to use ‘north’, ‘south’, ‘east’ and ‘west’.
You can draw the symbols on the question paper if they are not already there.

Examples:

The forest to the south of the river was cut down.

A golf course was constructed to the north of the airport.

The houses in the southwest of the town were demolished.

The green fields to the city’s northwest were redeveloped as a park.

The airport in the city’s centre was relocated to the northeast of the river.

The school to the southeast was knocked down and a new one was built to the east of the forest.

Finally, you will also be expected to use prepositions of place, e.g. at/in/on/by/beside/to/off/from, to
describe where things are.

Examples:
Dramatic changes took place in the city centre.

To the town’s south is a golf course surrounded by trees.

A new school was built next to the swimming pool.

The old road running from north to south was replaced by a new motorway.

A marina was built on the banks of the river.

Future structure:

• Will be + V3
• S + be planned to+V1
• It is planned to V1
• S is to be --- plan / proposed
change

1) Will be + V3
Пассив Future Simple — используется для будущих изменений, когда мы говорим, что
что-то будет построено / удалено / расширено.

Формула: will be + V3
(will be built, will be removed, will be replaced)

Используешь когда описываешь планы на будущее после реконструкции.

Примеры:

 A new road will be constructed to the north of the school.

 The old sports field will be replaced by a car park.
 Several houses will be demolished to make room for a shopping mall.

2) S + is/are planned to + V1
Используется, когда хочешь показать конкретный план, который уже продуман.

Формула

The area is planned to become…

The building is planned to be converted into…
Примеры:

 The town center is planned to become a pedestrian zone.

 The factory is planned to be relocated to the outskirts.
 The park is planned to expand towards the east.

3) It is planned to + V1
Без указания «кто», просто факт общего плана.
Используется для более формального и академического стиля.

Формула

It is planned to + build / add / expand …

Когда не хочешь повторять "the area" или "the plan" — отлично для разнообразия.

🔹 Примеры:

 It is planned to build a new residential area in the south.

 It is planned to add a cycle path around the lake.
 It is planned to expand the main road to four lanes.

4) S + is to be + V3 / noun (planned /
proposed change)
Очень формально и идеально для IELTS, звучит как официальное решение /
предстоящий проект.
Чаще всего выражает будущие «officially arranged» изменения.

Формула

The school is to be relocated.

The river is to be widened.

Используется когда карта показывает официальный проект, например Proposed changes

map (existing → proposed).

🔹 Примеры:

 The hospital is to be expanded by adding a new wing.

 The main road is to be diverted to the west.
 The old market is to be transformed into a cultural center.
Сравнение четырёх конструкций
Конструкция Значение Где использовать в IELTS Map
Will be + V3 нейтральное будущее изменение строительство, снос, расширение
S is planned to конкретный план реконструкции изменения с указанием объекта
формальный стиль описания
It is planned to общий план, без subject
проекта
официально утверждённые будущие
S is to be + V3 proposed map, government plans
изменения