Map & Plan Vocabulary Masterclass

To score a Band 8.0+ in Map questions, you must instantly recognize the language of spatial awareness.

📍 Location

Describes where something is in relation to another object or place. It tells you the static position.

near
in front of
next to / beside
across from
between

🚶 Direction

Describes the movement or the position towards which someone moves or faces.

turn right / turn left
go straight on
travel northwest
go past
head towards

🧭 The 8-Point Compass System

Maps nearly always have compass points shown. The speaker will use these extensively instead of “top” or “bottom”.

North

South

East

West

Northeast

Northwest

Southeast

Southwest

5 Core Map Vocabulary Sets

Below are lists of vocabulary commonly used in official map and plan questions, along with sample sentences to help you visualize the information.

Set 1: Basic Positioning

facing in the middle of behind between next to / by in front of

“The entrance is in front of the reception desk.”

“The gym is behind the swimming pool, and the seating area is by the pool.”

Set 2: Movement & Alignment

left-hand side turn right pass through beyond along go straight

“Pass through the entrance, turn right and the café is immediately in front of you.”

“Walk along the side of the hall to find the studio in the far corner.”

Set 3: Compass Navigation

to the north heading east slightly west of first turning straight ahead

“The bridge is just beyond the final row of houses heading north.”

“The village of Stokeford is slightly east of the River Stoke.”

Set 4: Roads & Intersections

opposite across the road same side junction dead end leads off

“Walk west and you’ll pass the library before you get to the junction.”

“The bank is on a dead end road that leads off the High Street.”

Set 5: Paths & Boundaries

bend just past alongside adjoining carry straight on

“The school is situated on a bend in the dual carriageway.”

“The town centre has a pedestrian walkway running alongside a row of adjoining shops.”

10 Quick Map Practice Challenges

Click on the question block to reveal the correct map vocabulary answer!

1. The reception desk is exactly in the _______ of the building.

Answer: middle / centre

2. Walk through the main doors and the cafe is immediately _______ you.

Answer: in front of

3. The restrooms are located on the left-hand _______ as you enter.

Answer: side

4. To get to the library, take the first _______ on your right.

Answer: turning

5. The hospital is located on the _______ side of the river from the school.

Answer: other / opposite

6. Drive west along Main Street until you reach the _______ with Station Road.

Answer: junction / intersection

7. You can’t drive through there, it’s a _______ end.

Answer: dead

8. The footpath runs _______ the edge of the lake.

Answer: along / alongside

9. The new housing estate is situated just _______ the supermarket.

Answer: past / beyond / behind

10. Keep walking until you see the post office _______ ahead.

Answer: straight

Map Practice Tests

Put your vocabulary to the ultimate test with these full IELTS Listening Map tasks.