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.

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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.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. 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.

1. Begin to describe the changes.
2. Use sentences to transition.
3. 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.

1. Switch to another part of the map.
2. 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

1. Are there any parks near your home?
2. What do you do when you go to the park?
3. Do you often go to parks?
4. 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:

IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer: Public Park Map (IELTS Cambridge 14)