Maps-IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1

1.Describing Position and Location:

… lies/is situated/is located/is sited + to the right of/to the north of/around/below/inside/near …

north, south, east, west, northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest at the top/bottom

on the right/left side

in the top/bottom right/left hand corner 10 miles from

10 miles to the right of 10 miles north of

in the middle / at the centre along / off

across [from] opposite

close to / near / in the vicinity of adjacent to / next to / beside

… is covered with …

… is connected to … via/through/by means of …

 

Examples:

The suggested location, S2, is right in the town centre.

The first site is locate in the countryside northwest of Garlsdon.

The first potential location (S1) is outside the town itself, and is sited just off the main road to the town of Hindon, lying 12 kilometres to the north-west.

The population of Garlsdon is 65000. à Garlsdon has a population of 65000.

There are two main roads running through the town from east to west and northeast to southwest.

2.Useful Vocabulary for Describing Maps:

Residential/housing area: an area that has lots of houses and some schools.

Industrial area: an area that has lots of factories

Commercial area: an area that has lots of stores

Hospital: a health facility where patients receive treatment

Zoo: a place where people can go and see many kinds of animals

Post office: a place where you can send mail (letters and packages)

Fire station: a station housing fire apparatus and firemen

Airport: an airfield equipped with control tower and hangers as well as accommodations for passengers and cargo

Park: a recreational area where people can play football and have picnics

Skyscraper: a very tall building

Warehouse: a building where things are kept until they are sold.

Parking lot: an area where people can park cars

Museum: a place that displays things of scientific or historical or artistic value

Supermarket: a large store that sells mostly food but sometimes other items such as clothes and furniture.

Factory: an industrial plant, a production facility,

Woodland: an area with lots of trees

River: a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

Street: the place where cars drive

Intersection: the point where several streets meet.

Recreation: an activity that is exciting, stimulating or relaxing. For example, bike riding and playing football are recreational activities.

Proximity: closeness

Remove: remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, taking off, etc.

Develop: to make

Change: modify

Construct: to build

Relocate: to move a structure or facility to a different location

Demolish: to destroy a building or other structure completely

Replace: to take the place of or substitute for somebody or something

Expand: to become or make something become larger

Convert: turn into something else