LECTURER: MS. NGUYEN BAO HUONG GIANG, M.

A
WRITING TASK 1: Map
I.Introduction to map description task:
There are ……………… in Task 2:
-………………: describe 1 place and 1 picture only – (scarcely appear).

-………………: describe 1 place and 2 pictures – (commonly appear).

In which case, there are two supposing conditions:
1. Both pictures are presented in the past time references
-Structure to use: ………………………………………………………………………………………………
-Example:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. One picture is presented in the present time and the other is in the future prediction
-Structure to use: ………………………………………………………………………………………………
-Example:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 LECTURER: MS. NGUYEN BAO HUONG GIANG, M.A

II. Vocabularies to implement in map description:

Words that focus on removing structures Words that focus on creating structures

Verb Noun Verb Noun

to knock down (-ed) convert conversion
to pull down (-ed) transform transformation
to tear down (V2: tore, V3: torn) extend (+ to) extension
expand expansion
demolish (-ed) demolition (n) construct

to chop down (only use for trees, become (followed by 1 adj

usually in passive voice) (-pp) or 1 noun)
turn into
replace with (-ed) replacement for
alter alteration
develop development

Practice: Fill in the gaps with the given words above

 LECTURER: MS. NGUYEN BAO HUONG GIANG, M.A
 The old supermarket was in desperate need of repair. It (1).................down and then (2).....................
with a new one.
 Last year, the largest house on the street (3) ...................... into flats
 The leisure centre (4)................. so that it now includes a swimming pool.
 The trees (5).................. to allow for extra street lighting.
 The bank (6) ................. beyond all recognition. It is now a public library.
 A new school (7) .................... to accommodate more pupils.
 To make space for the new developments, the old buildings in the area (8).................... and the whole
transport system (9)............... to include high-speed links

IIi. Structures to implement in map description:

1. Structures to describe the transformations of given places

Happen (verb) (-ed):
 The airport was constructed on the greenfield site on the edge of the town.
 Elevated structure: The construction of the airport happened on the greenfield site on the edge of the
town.
Occur (verb) (-rr):
 The empty space near the university was developed into a park.
 Elevated structure: The development of the empty space near the university into a park occurred.
Take place (phrasal verb) (took place/ taken place)
 Elevated structure: A number of dramatic developments took place, which altered the character of the
town completely.
STRUTURE TO BE IMPLEMENTED:

There was/were
 The railway was extended to the centre of the town, and three new stations were built.
 Elevated structure: There was an extension of the railway to the centre of the town, and three new
stations were built.
 The neighbourhood completely changed with the building of new apartments.
 Elevated structure: There was a complete change of the neighbourhood with the building of new
apartments.

STRUTURE TO BE IMPLEMENTED:

2. Structures to describe the locations of given places

lie (verb) (V2: lay, V3: lain, V-ING: lying) (never being used in passive voice)
 The river lies 30 km to the south.
STRUTURE TO BE IMPLEMENTED:


 LECTURER: MS. NGUYEN BAO HUONG GIANG, M.A

to be situated/sited/located (dùng ở thể bị động)

 The shopping centre is situated in the south-west of the town.
 The company's head office is sited east of the shopping centre.
 South-west of the woodland is located the industrial complex.
STRUTURE TO BE IMPLEMENTED:



- in the north/south/west/east of...

 A residential area is located in the north-west of the town.
- north/south/west/east of....
 West of the river and south of the residential area is situated the Arts Centre.
- to the north/south/west/east of...., there is/are (was/were)...
 To the north-east of the residential area, there are several derelict warehouses.
(Source: Ready for IELTS - Student Book, Sam McCarter, MacMillan Exams)
STRUTURE TO BE IMPLEMENTED:



IV. Template for map description writing task:

1. Writing an itroduction: paraphrase the given sentence (the lead-in part)

Introduction Model Sentence 1: The maps [indicate] the developments of [GIVEN

PLACE] called [ABC] during the years between … and …
Model Sentence: The maps give information about how [GIVEN
PLACE] called [ABC] changed over the period from … to ……

 PRACTICE: The maps show the transformation of the village of Eastminster over a ten-year
period.




2. Writing an overview:
Initiating the step by putting out a question such as: what is the common trend occuring in this area ?

 If there are more housing, flat/ apartment ……………………………….. development

 If there are more modern amenities such as hotel, car park, golf course, restaurant, airport, mall, etc:
……………………………….. development
 LECTURER: MS. NGUYEN BAO HUONG GIANG, M.A
 If there are more factory, warehouses: ……………………………….. development
 If there are less forest, farmhouse, natual landscapes: ……………………………….. development
Overview Overall, the town experienced/ underwent great [housing and
commercial] transformations.

3. Writing the boday paragraphs ( usually it entails only 2 paragraphs)

1. Divide by …………………….

Body: Detail 1 Looking first at the are to the [South] of the [river], ….
Body: Detail 2 Turning to the area [North] of the [river],….

2. Divide by …………………….

Body: Detail 1 Regarding the [addition and expansion] changes. ….

Body: Detail 2 In considerations of [replacement and reduction] trends,….

V. Writing practice
The maps show the transformation of the village of Eastminster over a ten-year period.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons
where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
 LECTURER: MS. NGUYEN BAO HUONG GIANG, M.A

Introduction Paraphrase

Overview Writing the common It is clear that this town experienced a…………….
trends occurring in the
place over the time
 LECTURER: MS. NGUYEN BAO HUONG GIANG, M.A

Body North of the river

paragraph 1

Body South of the river

paragraph 2
 LECTURER: MS. NGUYEN BAO HUONG GIANG, M.A

2. Second type of double map question:

The maps below show the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and plans for its
development.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons
where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Islip town centre now
 LECTURER: MS. NGUYEN BAO HUONG GIANG, M.A
FUTURE PREDICTION PHRASES
1.

2.

3.

4.