🎯 Objective
To help learners master the essential skills needed to successfully complete Map Completion tasks in IELTS Reading tests by understanding spatial relationships, directional language, and visual-textual correlation techniques.
📝 Understanding Map Completion Questions
Map completion questions test your ability to understand descriptions of locations, directions, and spatial relationships, then transfer this information to complete labels on a map or diagram.
| Question Type | Task Requirements | Key Skills Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Map Labeling | Complete missing labels on a map | Spatial awareness, directional understanding |
| Plan Completion | Fill in building/facility layouts | Following descriptions, identifying locations |
| Route Following | Trace paths and mark destinations | Sequential processing, direction following |
📚 Complete Guide: Mastering Map Completion Questions
Understanding Map Completion Questions
Critical Skills: Map completion questions require you to visualize written descriptions and match them to spatial representations. Success depends on understanding directional language, relative positions, and landmark references.
🧭 Directional Language
Cardinal directions: North, South, East, West
Relative positions: left, right, opposite, adjacent
Proximity words: near, close to, far from, next to
Example: "The library is located to the east of the main entrance"
📍 Location References
Landmark-based: Referenced to known buildings/features
Street/road references: Along specific routes
Coordinate-style: Corner of, intersection of
Example: "The café sits at the corner of Oak Street and Main Road"
🔄 Sequential Descriptions
Route descriptions: Step-by-step directions
Progressive locations: Moving from one point to another
Conditional positions: "After passing...", "Before reaching..."
Example: "Walking north from the entrance, you'll find the bookstore"
🎯 Common Question Formats
Single-word completion: Building names, facility types
Short phrase completion: Full location descriptions
Number/letter matching: Connecting descriptions to map markers
Multiple-choice selection: Choosing correct labels
Step-by-Step Analysis Process
Step 1: Study the Map First (60 seconds)
- Identify the orientation (North arrow, compass direction)
- Locate fixed landmarks (already labeled buildings, roads)
- Note the numbering system for questions
- Understand the scale and layout of the area
- Find any legend or key that explains symbols
Step 2: Read Related Passage Section (90 seconds)
- Scan for location descriptions and directional language
- Identify reference points mentioned in both text and map
- Look for sequence words (first, then, next, finally)
- Note specific distances or measurements mentioned
- Highlight connecting words (across from, behind, in front of)
Step 3: Match Descriptions to Map Locations (90 seconds)
- Start with the clearest/most obvious locations first
- Use process of elimination for ambiguous descriptions
- Cross-reference multiple clues for each location
- Check that your answers make logical sense spatially
- Verify word count limits for each answer
Essential Vocabulary for Map Questions
✅ Key Direction & Position Words:
- Cardinal: north, south, east, west
- Relative: left, right, opposite, adjacent
- Distance: near, far, close, distant
- Position: above, below, beside, between
- Reference: next to, in front of, behind
- Street terms: junction, intersection, corner
❌ Common Misunderstandings:
- Confusing "left" and "right" with map orientation
- Mixing up "north" and "upper" on the map
- Misreading relative positions
- Ignoring scale and actual distances
- Overlooking compass directions
- Missing connecting prepositions
Advanced Directional Phrases:
Complex directions: "northeast corner", "southwestern section", "due north"
Relative positioning: "diagonally opposite", "parallel to", "perpendicular to"
Sequential movement: "continuing eastward", "heading towards", "proceeding along"
Precise locations: "at the intersection of", "where X meets Y", "midway between"
Advanced Techniques & Strategies
Visual-Textual Correlation:
Text: "The parking area is situated behind the main building, accessible from Elm Street"
Map strategy: Find main building → identify which side faces Elm Street → locate area behind building → confirm parking symbol
Key skill: Building three-dimensional spatial understanding from 2D descriptions
Sequential Processing:
Complex description: "From the main entrance, walk north past the fountain, turn right at the first pathway, and the museum will be on your left"
Breaking it down: Entrance → North → Fountain → Right turn → First pathway → Left side → Museum
Strategy: Trace the route step-by-step on the map
Landmark Triangulation:
Multiple references: "The café is located between the library and the post office, closer to the library"
Process: Find library and post office → identify space between → determine which side is closer to library
Verification: Ensure the location makes sense with all given references
📄 Reading Passage: The Greenfield University Campus
Greenfield University's main campus is thoughtfully designed around a central quadrangle, providing both functionality and aesthetic appeal. The campus entrance is located on University Avenue, where visitors are greeted by the impressive Administration Building, which serves as the primary landmark for campus navigation.
Moving northward from the main entrance, students encounter the Student Union Building on the left side, which houses dining facilities, meeting rooms, and recreational areas. Directly opposite the Student Union, on the eastern side of the central walkway, stands the modernly renovated Science Complex, featuring state-of-the-art laboratories and lecture halls.
The academic heart of the campus lies further north, where the Central Library dominates the landscape. This four-story structure is positioned at the northern edge of the main quadrangle, providing easy access from all campus directions. To the west of the library, connected by a covered walkway, the Arts Building houses the music, theater, and visual arts departments.
Sports and recreation facilities are strategically placed on the eastern side of campus. The Sports Center, complete with gymnasium, swimming pool, and fitness facilities, is located northeast of the Science Complex. Adjacent to the Sports Center, running along the eastern campus boundary, are the outdoor tennis courts and the main athletic field.
Student accommodation is thoughtfully integrated into the campus design. The East Residence Hall is positioned close to the Sports Center for student convenience, while the West Residence Hall sits near the Arts Building, creating a vibrant community atmosphere. Between these two residence halls, at the center of the northern campus area, students will find the Medical Center, ensuring healthcare services are easily accessible to all residents.
Parking facilities are distributed throughout campus to minimize congestion. The main visitor parking area is located immediately south of the Administration Building, while staff parking is situated behind the Science Complex. Student parking is available in a large lot west of the West Residence Hall, connected to the main campus by well-lit pedestrian pathways.
🗺️ Campus Map - Complete the missing labels
Note: North is towards the top of the map. Use the information from the passage to complete the labels 1-12.
🧩 Practice Questions: Map Completion
Complete the map by writing the correct answers for questions 1-12. Use information from the passage above. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
1. Building located on the left/west side of the central walkway, north of the main entrance:
2. Academic building positioned east of the central walkway, featuring laboratories:
3. Four-story building at the northern edge of the main quadrangle:
4. Building housing music, theater, and visual arts departments:
5. Facility with gymnasium, swimming pool, and fitness equipment:
6. Outdoor sports facilities adjacent to the Sports Center:
7. Large outdoor sports area along the eastern campus boundary:
8. Student accommodation located near the Sports Center:
9. Student accommodation positioned close to the Arts Building:
10. Healthcare facility located between the two residence halls:
11. Parking area designated for campus visitors:
12. Parking area designated for university students:
✅ Answer Key & Detailed Analysis
1. Student Union (Building)
Location clue: "Moving northward from the main entrance, students encounter the Student Union Building on the left side"
Analysis: "Left side" when moving north from entrance = west side of central walkway
2. Science Complex
Location clue: "Directly opposite the Student Union, on the eastern side of the central walkway, stands the modernly renovated Science Complex"
Analysis: "Opposite" the Student Union + "eastern side" = right side of map
3. Central Library
Location clue: "The Central Library dominates the landscape. This four-story structure is positioned at the northern edge of the main quadrangle"
Analysis: "Northern edge" of quadrangle = top of the central green area
4. Arts Building
Location clue: "To the west of the library, connected by a covered walkway, the Arts Building houses the music, theater, and visual arts departments"
Analysis: "West of library" + visible covered walkway connection on map
5. Sports Center
Location clue: "The Sports Center, complete with gymnasium, swimming pool, and fitness facilities, is located northeast of the Science Complex"
Analysis: "Northeast" means up and to the right from Science Complex
6. Tennis Courts
Location clue: "Adjacent to the Sports Center, running along the eastern campus boundary, are the outdoor tennis courts"
Analysis: "Adjacent" + "eastern boundary" = next to Sports Center on the right edge
7. Athletic Field
Location clue: "Adjacent to the Sports Center, running along the eastern campus boundary, are the outdoor tennis courts and the main athletic field"
Analysis: Listed after tennis courts, also along eastern boundary
8. East Residence (Hall)
Location clue: "The East Residence Hall is positioned close to the Sports Center for student convenience"
Analysis: "Close to Sports Center" = nearby but separate building
9. West Residence (Hall)
Location clue: "while the West Residence Hall sits near the Arts Building, creating a vibrant community atmosphere"
Analysis: "Near Arts Building" = positioned close to the left side building
10. Medical Center
Location clue: "Between these two residence halls, at the center of the northern campus area, students will find the Medical Center"
Analysis: "Between" the East and West residence halls + "northern campus area"
11. Visitor Parking
Location clue: "The main visitor parking area is located immediately south of the Administration Building"
Analysis: "South of" Administration Building = below the main entrance building
12. Student Parking
Location clue: "Student parking is available in a large lot west of the West Residence Hall"
Analysis: "West of" West Residence Hall = to the left of the left residence building
🏆 Complete Analysis Guide and Advanced Strategies
🔍 Map Reading Mastery Techniques:
Orientation Strategy:
Step 1: Always identify the North arrow first - this determines how to interpret all directional references
Step 2: Establish your reference point (usually the main entrance or central landmark)
Step 3: Build a mental grid using cardinal directions from this reference point
Landmark Navigation:
Primary landmarks: Administration Building (main entrance), Central Quadrangle (center reference)
Secondary landmarks: Already labeled buildings that serve as position references
Tertiary references: Roads, walkways, and boundary features
⚡ Speed Reading for Map Questions:
Scanning Strategy:
• First pass: Read only directional phrases and building names
• Second pass: Focus on spatial relationships between known landmarks
• Third pass: Fill in remaining details and verify logical consistency
Key Phrase Recognition:
• Position indicators: "north of", "adjacent to", "opposite", "between"
• Movement phrases: "moving northward", "walking from", "proceeding to"
• Reference connectors: "close to", "near", "next to", "behind"
🧩 Complex Location Analysis:
Multi-reference processing:
Example from text: "Between these two residence halls, at the center of the northern campus area"
Strategy:
1. Identify "these two residence halls" (East and West Residence)
2. Find the space "between" them on the map
3. Confirm it's in the "northern campus area"
4. Verify the location matches all three criteria
Relative positioning chains:
Example: "Sports Center northeast of Science Complex" + "Tennis courts adjacent to Sports Center"
Chain process: Science Complex → Northeast → Sports Center → Adjacent → Tennis Courts
📊 Common Map Question Traps & Solutions:
Trap 1: Directional Confusion
• Problem: Mixing up "left/right" from reader's perspective vs. character's perspective
• Solution: Always use the map's North arrow and cardinal directions
• Example: "On the left side" means west when moving north
Trap 2: Scale Misunderstanding
• Problem: Assuming "close" means immediately adjacent
• Solution: Consider relative distances within the entire map area
• Example: "Close to Sports Center" may mean nearby but not touching
Trap 3: Sequence Confusion
• Problem: Missing the order of locations in route descriptions
• Solution: Track movement step-by-step, marking each position
• Example: "First the fountain, then turn right" requires finding fountain first
🎯 Advanced Map Completion Strategies:
The Elimination Method:
1. Identify obvious answers first (clearest location descriptions)
2. Use remaining options for ambiguous questions
3. Cross-check consistency of all answers together
4. Verify logical spatial relationships
The Reference Web Strategy:
• Create mental connections between all landmarks
• Use confirmed locations to help identify uncertain ones
• Build a network of spatial relationships
• Check that all relationships are mutually consistent
The Verification Checklist:
✓ Does the answer fit the word count limit?
✓ Is the location consistent with all given clues?
✓ Do nearby locations make sense spatially?
✓ Have I used each possible answer only once?
📚 Essential Map Vocabulary Expansion:
Precise directional terms:
• Cardinal combinations: northeast, southeast, northwest, southwest
• Precise positioning: due north, directly south, straight across
• Angular references: diagonally opposite, perpendicular to, parallel with
Distance and proximity:
• Immediate: adjacent, next to, beside, touching
• Close: near, close to, nearby, in the vicinity of
• Moderate: a short distance from, within walking distance
• Separated: across from, on the other side of, beyond
Structural references:
• Building relationships: attached to, connected by, linked with
• Area divisions: sector, zone, district, quarter, section
• Boundary references: perimeter, edge, border, boundary, limit
⏱️ Time Management for Map Questions:
Recommended timing strategy:
• Initial map study: 60 seconds (understand layout and orientation)
• Passage reading: 90 seconds (identify all location descriptions)
• Answer completion: 90 seconds (match descriptions to map positions)
• Final verification: 30 seconds (check consistency and word limits)
Efficiency techniques:
• Number answers as you find them in the passage
• Use process of elimination for difficult questions
• Don't spend more than 20 seconds on any single question
• Return to difficult questions after completing obvious ones
🎯 Scoring Tips for Map Completion:
Accuracy targets:
• Band 6.0: 8-9 correct out of 12
• Band 7.0: 10-11 correct out of 12
• Band 8.0+: 12 correct out of 12
Improvement focus areas:
• Practice with various map types (campus, town, building layouts)
• Strengthen directional vocabulary through daily use
• Develop spatial intelligence through map reading exercises
• Time yourself regularly to build speed and accuracy
Common error analysis:
• Review directional mistakes to identify patterns
• Check if errors are due to vocabulary or spatial understanding
• Practice with similar map layouts to build confidence
• Focus on the specific map question types that challenge you most