Maps language
Before you can begin to look at how to write a map report, you firstly need to learn some specific language.
Verbs to describe change
(Click the table to see a larger version.)
Passive Tense
Like for man-made process reports in the previous unit, you should use the passive tense because we do not know or care who made the changes.
Remember: the passive tense is formed with:
Subject + verb + past participle
You will need to be careful when choosing the tense of the verb. Which tense you should use depends on the dates shown on the map.
So, for example:
If the maps show changes:
- Between two periods in the past (e.g. 1980 and 2000) = past simple passive
For example,
An airport was constructed.
The trees were chopped down.
Two factories were built.
- Between a period in the past and now (e.g. 1990 and present day) = present perfect passive
An airport has been constructed.
The trees have been chopped down.
Two factories have been built.
Transitive verbs
Note: You can only use transitive verbs when writing in the passive voice. For verbs which are both transitive and intransitive, they must be used transitively to make a passive structure. Intransitive verbs / verbs being used intransitively cannot be used in the passive.
Transitive verb = a verb that needs an object
Look at these basic real-world examples:
Intransitive verb = a verb that does not take an object
Therefore, the following sentences with the intransitive verbs happened / disappeared would be incorrect when describing maps:
The airport was happened.
The trees were disappeared.
All of the verbs in the table at the beginning of this language unit can be used transitively, so they are ok to use in your map reports.
Click on this link and complete some verb language activities.
Describing location
You need to use direction (north, east, south, west) and location language (prepositions) to describe where on the map the changes took place.
Direction language
When describing maps:
- We don’t generally talk about the left and right, or top and bottom of a map. Instead, it is better to use compass directions: north, south, east and west.
- Only capitalize directions when they are part of a proper noun, e.g. East Peekor Street, Southeast Asia. Otherwise, do not capitalize them, e.g. east of the river, in the north of the town
- Make sure you know the directions shown on the compass below:
In clockwise direction, they are:
north / north east / east / south east / south / south west / west / north west.
Notice how the for the inter-cardinal points ‘north‘ and ‘south‘ always come first in the phrase.
Location language
Make sure that you are familiar with the meaning of the following prepositions:
Note: You will need to use the prepositions ‘in’ and ‘to’ in order to describe locations. Take a look at these example sentences from the model answer.
Looking to the east of the river, an airport was established (to the) northwest of the school.
In the south, all of the trees and houses were cleared.
‘in’ and ‘to’ have different meanings and it is important you learn how to use them correctly so that you can avoid making common mistakes.
to means outside of the area.
in means in the area.
Complete the following preposition activities by clicking here.
Articles
One of the biggest grammar mistakes in map reports is related to the use of articles. Therefore, you should spend some time learning these rules to get them correct in your exam.
Introducing a ‘new’ noun for the first time
To describe a change on a map (e.g. something was built / installed), probably every singular ‘new’ noun will need an article. Use ‘a’ / ‘an’ to introduce the ‘new’ noun. Take a look at this example from the model answer:
Looking to the east of the river, an airport was established northwest of the school.
For plural nouns, you will need to use a quantifier (e.g. some / a number of). Look at this example from the model answer:
To the south of the lake, some houses were erected between the two existing roads.
If you refer to the noun a second time, use the article ‘the’ because you are now referring to something specific that has already been introduced. Take a look at the examples again, this time with a second sentence added.
Looking to the east of the river, an airport was established northwest of the school. Moreover, some houses were built further east of the airport.
To the south of the lake, some houses were erected between the two existing roads and a supermarket was built just south of the houses.
Referring to ‘existing’ nouns on the map
When referencing a noun which is ‘already there’ in the earliest map shown, rather than something which is ‘new’, you should use the article ‘the’ for both singular and plural nouns. Look at the same sentence example for above:
Looking to the east of the river, an airport was established northwest of the school.
The school is on the earlier map in 1990, so we use ‘the’ because it is that specific school you are referring to.
Clink on the link to complete the language activities.
Now move on to see how to write the report.