There are 3 main types of diagrams in Writing Task 1 Academic:
a.) Dynamic graphs
b.) Static graphs
c.) Diagrams (Maps, Processes) <– we’re talking about maps
In this post I will show you how to write about Map Diagrams.
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Fortunately, the essay structure for every type of Task 1 is basically the same.
Structure: Task 1 – Academic
4 paragraphs
1.) Summary / Introduction
2.) Overview
3.) Body 1
4.) Body 2
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What are Map Diagrams?
Map Diagrams can be a few different things.
Map diagrams can be 1 or 2 images of indoor spaces, such as offices:
They can also be the exterior layout of a building, such as a shopping centre, road network, or even an entire town.
Map diagrams always show changes to a place. These can be finished changes. You can see finished changes in the tasks above and below:
However, IELTS Task 1 Writing map diagrams can be about potential future changes to a place. For example:
Another example of proposed future changes:
In this blog post we will look at how to approach all kinds of IELTS Writing Task 1 map diagrams, paragraph-by-paragraph.
1.) Map Diagram Introduction / Summary
The introduction paragraph in Task 1 only needs to be 1 or 2 sentences. Like all IELTS Writing Task 1 essays, your introduction should present the main purpose of the graph to the reader in your own words. This means paraphrasing the official IELTS diagram description if you can.
Obviously, a diagram is very different from a graph, so we will need quite different language. However, similarly to Dynamic Graphs, map diagrams also feature changes.
You should change your grammar depending on if the changes have already happened, or if they are expected to happen in the future.
Here is a language table to help you make some summaries / introduction paragraphs in your own IELTS Task 1 Writing essays.
| Diagram | Finished Changes: (past → now) | Proposed Changes: (now → future) |
| – The diagram depicts…
– The map details… – The images illustrate… – The plans show … |
– the changes that have taken place in Ashford since 2010.
– the differences between Ashford in 2010 and today. – the changes that have been made to the floor plan of an office building between 2005 and the present. |
– …the town centre of Islip now and the proposed / suggested / planned changes for it.
– …the areas of a flood-affected town now and two proposed / suggested / potential solutions that could help those areas avoid flooding in the future. |
Here are some examples of a Task 1 map diagram introduction using the table above. First a map diagram showing finished changes: 
- The images illustrate + the changes that have been made to the floor plan of an office building between 2005 and the present.
- The pair of diagrams depict + the differences between an office floor plan in 2005 and now.
Now some introduction examples for a map diagram depicting planned changes: 
- The two diagrams depict + the town centre of Islip now and the suggested – planned – proposed changes.
- The images illustrate + Islip town centre as it is now and the proposed / suggested – planned developments for it in the future.
You try! – Write an introduction sentence for this map diagram task. Use the table above to help you.
The plans show the site of an airport now and how it will look after redevelopment next year.
2.) Map Diagram Overview
The purpose of the overview paragraph is to give a short summary of the main features. In Map Diagrams, the main features can include:
- New structures / areas
- Moved structures / areas
- Expanded structures / areas
- Reduced or removed structures / areas
There are two approaches you can take to Map Diagram overviews – or you can combine them together. You can describe the main features with adjectives (larger / smaller / more spacious / more developed) or you can generally describe the literal physical changes (number of rooms, names of new areas and structures.
To describe generally I try to avoid giving specific locations (north / east etc.). I save these for Body 1 and Body 2. To generalise, I also give the group names of things and places, such as, ‘new housing’, ‘office equipment’, and ‘new transport facilities’, if I can.
| Descriptions with comparative adjectives: | Literal physical changes: |
| – Overall, we can see that ... the proposed flood prevention systems are complex and extensive.
– Overall, we can see that … the new office layout is much more spacious and open-plan. – Overall, we can see that … the town has become both more residential and accessible. |
– Overall, we can see that… the 4 rooms in 2005 are now 2 large ones.
– Overall, we can see that… the main entrance area has been moved to the opposing side of the office. – Overall, we can see that… several new houses have been built near the river. |
Here are some examples of Map Diagram overviews using the tasks you saw earlier:
Main Features:
- New: sofa and coffee table | coffee machine, water cooler
- Bigger / Smaller: main room bigger, combined
- Moved: armchairs, noticeboard
- Removed: small office room on left gone
- Other: top left room the same
a. Overall, we can see that the office now features fewer rooms and is more open-plancompared to the past. Some furniture has been rearranged, while some new office equipment and appliances have also been added.
b. Overall, we can see that the updated office plan contains a larger shared area with some new or rearranged furniture, while some other changes to the position of office equipment have been made.
Main Features:
- New: dual carriageway | bus station, shopping centre, car park, new housing
- Bigger / Smaller: x
- Moved: x
- Removed: shops on north side of main road
- Other: main road > pedestrian zone
a. Overall, we can see that a wide range of new developments are planned for Islip town centre, such as more extensive road networks and new housing projects. The suggested changes also include a pedestrianised area and improved traffic access via a bus station and a car park.
b. Overall, we can see that a considerable transformation has been planned for the town centre, including a new ring road and a pedestrian area, as well as a wide range of new transport facilities and even new housing.
You try! – Write an overview paragraph for this map diagram task. Use the table above to help you. The main features have been highlighted for you.
Main Features:
- New: gates +10 | sky train | ATM, car hire, cafe in arrivals, bag drop and shops in departures
- Bigger / Smaller: new doors +2 (4 total)
- Moved: cafe and check-in in departures
- Removed: walkway to gates
- Other: security, passport control customs all the same
Overviews are extremely difficult in IELTS Writing Task 1.
My Maps eBook unlocks all the secrets to writing correct, advanced and high-band overviews. Click here to get this 19-page guide or click the picture.
3.) Body Paragraphs
Next are the Body paragraphs of your Task 1 report. You can write 2 or 3 Body paragraphs.
Body paragraphs describe the main features of the diagram in detail, including their location (either specifically or in relation to other structures or natural areas on the map). You can also write in detail about any old structures that have been replaced or moved.
In terms of grammar, we are never told who has made or will make the changes on the diagram, so Map Diagrams often require the passive voice.
Here is a language and grammar table you can use to write body paragraphs. Again, the grammar changes if you are talking about finished changes or future changes.
| Finished Changes: (past → now) | Proposed Changes: (now → future) |
| - Many changes have been made
– Several new buildings and significant infrastructure projects have been completed – [Area / Furniture / Equipment] has been rearranged – [Area /Structure / Equipment] has been added – [Area /Structure / Equipment] has been removed – [Area /Structure / Equipment] has been relocated – [Area /Structure / Equipment] has been built – [Old] has been replaced by [New]. |
– A new [area/structure] is planned to …
– [Old] is set to be turned into [New] – [New] is seemingly intended to replace [Old] – [Area/Structure] is going to be built – [Area/Structure] will be built – There is a new [area/structure] planned |
Here are the Body 1 and Body 2 paragraphs of the example map diagrams from before, staring with the finished changes map diagram:
Introduction: The images illustrate the changes that have been made to the floor plan of an office building between 2005 and the present.
Overview: Overall, we can see that the office now features fewer rooms and is more open-plan compared to the past. Some furniture has been rearranged, while some new office equipment and appliances have also been added.
Body 1: (Biggest change) One of the key changes involves the removal of two small rooms on the western and north eastern sides of the office. It appears that the desks, chairs and cabinets have been removed from both small rooms, and now sit in the north eastern corner of the office to create a larger meeting area.
Body 2: (Big change – last paragraph already long enough) As a result, the main room by the entrance has expanded into an open area with a new sofa and table, while the armchairs and noticeboard have been relocated from the eastern to the western side beside the new furniture. A new water cooler and coffee machine seem to service this new area as well.
Body 3: (Exception / Contrast) Lastly, however, the corner office in the north-western corner of the office remains virtually unchanged from any of the rearrangements, remaining in its 2005 layout.
Here is the full example essay of the future changes map diagram:
Introduction: The images illustrate Islip town centre as it is now and the proposed developments for it in the future.
Overview: Overall, we can see that … a considerable transformation has been planned for the town centre, including a new ring road and a pedestrian area, as well as a wide range of new transport facilities and even new housing.
Body 1: Starting with the most obvious development, a new dual carriageway is planned to circle around the northern and southern edges of Islip town centre. This is seemingly intended to replace the main road running through the town centre, which in turn is set to be turned into a pedestrianised area.
Body 2: Focusing more on the city centre itself, a raft of new facilities are intended. While the current row of shops will remain, a new bus station, shopping centre and car park are going to be built on the north side of the old main road. In addition, new housing will also be built on the eastern side of town, with another housing project planned beside the park in the southeastern part of town.
You try! – Write the body paragraphs for this map diagram task. Use the examples above to help you.
Main Features:
- New: gates +10 | sky train | ATM, car hire, cafe in arrivals, bag drop and shops in departures
- Bigger / Smaller: new doors +2 (4 total)
- Moved: cafe and check-in in departures
- Removed: walkway to gates
- Other: security, passport control customs all the same
Introduction: The images show the layout of an airport now and the proposed changes to it after a development project.
Overview: Overall, we can see that after its development, the airport will host considerably more gates, as well as more food and travel amenities for both arriving and departing passengers.
There you go! A high-band approach, several examples and a reliable framework for you to use in your own IELTS Writing test.
Questions? Write them in a comments below.
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