Task 1 Academic4 questions
Map questions.
How this type works
A map task usually asks you to describe how a place changed over time, or to compare two locations. The examiner wants clear description of what was added, removed, or relocated, using compass directions and location language. Each question below includes the map(s) to describe.
Task 1 · Academic🎓 EducationMap
“The maps show the layout of a university campus in 2005 and 2025.”
Prep ⏱ Attempt
Task 1 · Academic🏙️ Urban LifeMap
“The maps show the centre of the town of Halton in 2000 and today.”
Prep ⏱ Attempt
Task 1 · Academic🏝️ Travel & TourismMap
“The maps show an island before and after the construction of facilities for tourists.”
Prep ⏱ Attempt
Task 1 · Academic🏘️ Urban LifeMap
“The maps show the village of Stokeford in 1930 and today.”
Prep ⏱ Attempt
❓ FAQ
About map questions
- How often does a Map question appear in IELTS Task 1?
- It's one of the recognised Task 1 formats, so it's fair game on test day — but you can't reliably predict which one you'll be given. Treat every format as likely and practise across all of them rather than betting on a single type.
- Should I memorise a template for Map questions?
- Learn the shape, not a script. A reliable structure for map questions saves planning time, but a memorised answer bolted onto the wrong prompt is penalised. Adapt the structure to the exact question in front of you.
- How is a Map answer marked?
- Against the four official IELTS Writing criteria — task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. Getting the format right mainly protects your task achievement score; the other three come down to your language.
- How many Map questions should I practise?
- Enough to make the format automatic, then stop drilling it in isolation. Once you can structure a map response without thinking, your time is better spent on the language criteria that actually move your band.