This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay based on a map of Pentland.
Maps are always a bit tricky so be sure to check out how I wrote the overview below.
For my exclusive IELTS PDFs and Ebooks, sign up to Patreon here.
Dave
IELTS Essay: Map of Pentland

The map details alterations to the town of Pentland from 1980 to 2007. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there was a lot a of residential and commercial development over the years including construction of a marina for yachts, shops, houses and entertainment facilities.
In 1980, Pentland consisted mainly of grasslands to the south, two main intersecting roads, an eastern car park, an industrial area in the west and the sea to the north. By 2007, every area had changed or been relocated. An additional road was built by the coast (now a yacht marina) with a park bordering it in the northwest and seaside apartments on the opposite side.
The roads are now lined with shops and the car park added floors and moved from the eastern to western end of town, adjacent to a new swimming pool. In the south, grasslands made way for a cinema to the west and rows of houses along a new eastward avenue.
Analysis
1. The map details alterations to the town of Pentland from 1980 to 2007. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there was a lot a of residential and commercial development over the years including construction of a marina for yachts, shops, houses and entertainment facilities.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a general over for the map. Include the major changes and group them generally.
1. In 1980, Pentland consisted mainly of grasslands to the south, two main intersecting roads, an eastern car park, an industrial area in the west and the sea to the north. 2. By 2007, every area had changed or been relocated. 3. An additional road was built by the coast (now a yacht marina) with a park bordering it in the northwest and seaside apartments on the opposite side.
- Begin to describe the changes.
- Use sentences to transition.
- Make sure all information is included.
1. The roads are now lined with shops and the car park added floors and moved from the eastern to western end of town, adjacent to a new swimming pool. 2. In the south, grasslands made way for a cinema to the west and rows of houses along a new eastward avenue.
- Switch to another part of the map.
- Don’t include any opinion and don’t forget any areas.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
The map details alterations to the town of Pentland from 1980 to 2007. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there was a lot a of residential and commercial development over the years including construction of a marina for yachts, shops, houses and entertainment facilities.
In 1980, Pentland consisted mainly of grasslands to the south, two main intersecting roads, an eastern car park, an industrial area in the west and the sea to the north. By 2007, every area had changed or been relocated. An additional road was built by the coast (now a yacht marina) with a park bordering it in the northwest and seaside apartments on the opposite side.
The roads are now lined with shops and the car park added floors and moved from the eastern to western end of town, adjacent to a new swimming pool. In the south, grasslands made way for a cinema to the west and rows of houses along a new eastward avenue.
Answers
details alterations describes changes
looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
residential and commercial development housing and businesses
marina a small harbour
yachts big luxury boats
entertainment facilities places for entertainment
consisted made up of
mainly of mostly
to the south in the Southern part
intersecting crossing
eastern in the east
in the west to the west
to the north northwards
relocated moved
additional extra
coast along the water
bordering next to
seaside near the seaw
opposite side mirrored
lined in a row
end of town one side of the town
adjacent next to
made way for move so that
rows lines
eastward avenue street to the east
Pronunciation
ˈdiːteɪlz ˌɔːltəˈreɪʃ(ə)nz
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt
ˌrɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl ænd kəˈmɜːʃəl dɪˈvɛləpmənt
mʌˈriːnə
jɒts
ˌɛntəˈteɪnmənt fəˈsɪlɪtiz
kənˈsɪstɪd
ˈmeɪnli ɒv
tuː ðə saʊθ
ˌɪntə(ː)ˈsɛktɪŋ
ˈiːstən
ɪn ðə wɛst
tuː ðə nɔːθ
ˌriːləʊˈkeɪtɪd
əˈdɪʃənl
kəʊst
ˈbɔːdərɪŋ
ˈsiːsaɪd
ˈɒpəzɪt saɪd
laɪnd
ɛnd ɒv taʊn
əˈʤeɪsənt
meɪd weɪ fɔː
rəʊz
ˈiːstwəd ˈævɪnjuː
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
The map d__________________s to the town of Pentland from 1980 to 2007. L_____________________________________________________t there was a lot a of r______________________________________t over the years including construction of a m___________a for y_________s, shops, houses and e_________________________________s.
In 1980, Pentland c____________d m_____________f grasslands t_____________h, two main i____________g roads, an e__________n car park, an industrial area i______________t and the sea t____________h. By 2007, every area had changed or been r___________d. An a_______________l road was built by the c_______t (now a yacht marina) with a park b___________g it in the northwest and s___________e apartments on the o______________e.
The roads are now l__________d with shops and the car park added floors and moved from the eastern to western e___________n, a_________t to a new swimming pool. In the south, grasslands m_____________r a cinema to the west and r______s of houses along a new e_______________e.
Speaking Practice
Practice speaking with the following real questions from the IELTS speaking exam:
Parks
- Are there any parks near your home?
- What do you do when you go to the park?
- Do you often go to parks?
- Is it common for people in your country to go to parks?
Writing Practice
Write about another map below then check with my sample answer:

Your teaching is explicit.. Thanks
You’re welcome, Marvellous!
Hi Mr. Dave,
I really love your techniques, could you please review my essay.
The provided two maps compare the modification in Portland, between the years 1980 and 2007.
Overall, it is clearly visible that Portland has been through drastic changes in all directions, mainly, the introduction of several shops, households, entertainment, and few leisure facilities.
To commence with, in the Nort-side, the sea is named as Yacht marina, and along the beach, roads have been introduced. While in the North-East apartments constructed, a part established in the North-West. The industrial Area converted into a multistorey car park which was present on the east side of the city, besides, a swimming pool built just left side of the building.
Secondly, in the south-east, grassland is being used for a new set of houses, and a new pathway constructed in between. A brand-new cinema building opened just across the houses in the south-west area. Finally, numerous shops are appeared adjacent to the roads, mainly on the road which is extended from west to east.
Hi Rohan!
You can’t start a sentence with ‘while’ and there are some small spelling mistakes but good start!
The map details a pentland in 1980 and alterations over a twenty-seven year period. Overall, it is evident that the town became more developed with the addition of recreational centers, residential and commercial buildings.
In 1980, both the south western and south eastern part of petland were left totally undeveloped with only grasslands and a little extention of a car park respectively. However, by 2007, a cinema alongside a shop were constructed on the bottom left of the road while to the opposite where several houses and three shops.
Moving to the upper part of pentland, the sea in 1980 has been converted to a yatch marina with road extension at both sides, having a park just beneath the left road and three apartments beneath the right. The industrial area to the western part of pentland dating back to 1980 have been demolished and replaced with multi-storey, a swimming pool and multiple shops. To the eastern part are many shops while the road at the centre remained the same.
Good work, Nancy!
Nice overview but be careful with your articles at times – keep working hard!
I want to you this essay is which band ?
Band 9, naturally – I write them all!