Vocab for IELTS Writing 1 (Maps)

Vocabulary for describing how a place has changed over time, or comparing maps from different periods. Includes location, map features, land use, and verbs for building, removing, and modernising.

Located / Situated (adj)

in a particular place

Adjacent to (prep)

right next to

Opposite (prep/adj)

facing something across a road or space

Nearby (adj/adv)

close

Surround (v)

to be all around something on every side

Within (prep)

inside the limits of an area

Beyond (prep)

on the far side of something

Along (prep)

following the line of a road

Boundary (n)

the line at the edge of an area

Narrow (adj)

not wide

Path (n)

a narrow way for people walking

Roundabout / Rotary (n)

a circular road junction

Car park (n)

an area where cars are parked

Multi-storey (adj)

having several floors or levels (e.g. a multi-storey car park)

Footbridge (n)

a small bridge for people walking

Fork / Branch (n)

a place where one road or path splits into two

Junction / Intersection (n)

a place where two or more roads meet

Residential (adj)

describes an area with houses where people live

Commercial (adj)

describes an area for shops and offices

Rural (adj)

describes the countryside

Urban (adj)

describes a built-up area like a town or city

Grassland (n)

an open area covered mostly with grass

Woodland (n)

an area covered with trees

Farmland (n)

land used for growing crops or keeping animals

Construct (v)

to build something new (often large

Develop (v)

to improve land by adding buildings

Addition (n)

something new that is added

Extend (v)

to make one thing longer or wider

Expand (v)

to make something bigger on purpose

Expansion (n)

growth in total size (noun of expand)

Widen (v)

to make a road or path wider

Connect (v)

to join two places (e.g. with a road or bridge)

Demolish (v)

to knock down a building

Clear (v)

to remove everything from a piece of land

Removal (n)

the act of taking something away

Reduction (n)

making something smaller in size or area

Convert (v)

to change something for a new use

Turn into (v)

to change one thing into another (informal version of convert)

Transform (v)

to change something completely

Renovate (v)

to repair an old building

Modernise (v)

to make an old place look modern

Upgrade (v)

to make something better quality

Replace (v)

to remove one thing and put a new thing in its place

Pedestrianise (v)

to close a road to cars so only people walking can use it

Maintain (v)

to keep something at the same level or condition

Preserve (v)

to protect something old so it does not change

Unchanged (adj)

the same as before

Relocate (v)

to move something to a new place

Original (adj)

the first version

Previous / Former (adj)

from an earlier time