Why Maps Trip Students Up
Map tasks show either two versions of the same place (before and after) or two different locations. The biggest mistake students make is describing each feature one by one as if reading a legend.
Do NOT describe the map like a tour: “On the left there is a park. Next to it there is a road. To the right there is a building.” This approach scores Band 5 at best.
What You Should Do Instead
Focus on what changed, what was added, what was removed, and what stayed the same. Group similar types of change together.
Think in categories of change: (1) things that were built/added, (2) things that were demolished/removed, (3) things that were converted from one use to another, (4) things that remained unchanged.
The Right Structure
Introduction
Paraphrase the task. Mention the place and time period.
The two maps illustrate the layout of a small coastal town in 1980 and in 2020.
Overview
Summarise the biggest changes and what remained.
Overall, the town underwent significant development over the forty-year period, with most natural areas replaced by modern infrastructure, though the central town hall remained throughout.
Body Paragraphs
Organise by location (north, south, east, west, centre) or by type of change.
Language for Changes
| Type of Change | Language |
|---|---|
| New building | was built / was constructed / was erected / a new X was developed |
| Demolition | was demolished / was knocked down / was removed / made way for |
| Conversion | was converted into / was transformed into / became |
| Expansion | was extended / was widened / was expanded |
| No change | remained / was retained / continued to exist / stayed the same |
Location Language
Always use precise location language:
- in the north/south/east/west of the map
- to the left/right of / adjacent to / opposite / beside
- in the centre / on the outskirts / along the coast / near the junction
Map descriptions almost always use the passive voice: a road was constructed, the forest was cleared, houses were built. The agent (who built it) is not important — only what happened.
Common Tense Error
Past passive for maps set in the past: the building was demolished. Present for current maps: the building stands opposite the park. Never mix tenses within the same description.
The overview paragraph for a map should tell the examiner the single most important transformation that took place — even before they read the body paragraphs.