IELTS Listening Map Labeling: Essential Vocabulary & Tips

Map labeling questions in IELTS Listening Section 2 can be tricky if you don't know your directional vocabulary. This guide covers the essential phrases, strategies, and common traps to ensure you never get lost—literally—during the test.

The Setup: What You're Dealing With

You will see a map (a campus, town, building floor plan, or park) with some labeled features (e.g., "Entrance", "Library", "Café") and some gaps labeled A, B, C, etc. Your job is to identify which place corresponds to which letter as the speaker describes a tour or gives directions.

Orientation is Everything

Before the audio starts, look for the "You are here" marker or the main Entrance. Everything the speaker says will start from that reference point. Knowing where you're "standing" on the map is critical.

Essential Directional Vocabulary

You must recognize these phrases instantly. If you have to think about what "adjacent" means, you've already missed the next answer.

Position & Location

Next to / Beside / By: Immediately touching or very close
Adjacent to: Next to (formal)
Opposite / Across from: On the other side
In the corner: At the meeting of two edges
In the center / middle: Central location
To the north/south/east/west of...
Between X and Y

Movement & Directions

Go straight ahead
Turn left/right
Take the first/second turning on the right
Go past the... (continue beyond it)
Head towards...
Cross the bridge / road
Follow the path
The road bends / curves

Advanced Prepositions (Band 7+ Vocabulary)

Beyond: Further away than something else. "The park is beyond the station." (You pass the station first, then reach the park.)
Adjoining: Touching or next to, sharing a boundary. "The car park adjoins the hotel."
Runs alongside: Goes parallel to. "The cycle path runs alongside the river."
Overlooks: Faces or has a view of. "The café overlooks the lake."
Behind: At the back of. "The garden is behind the main building."

Proven Strategy for Map Questions

Before the audio starts (30 seconds):
- Find the starting point ("You are here" or "Entrance")
- Identify what's already labeled (these are landmarks the speaker will reference)
- Look at the gaps (A, B, C...) and predict what they might be (buildings, facilities)
Trace with your finger or pen: Physically move your finger on the map as the speaker gives directions. This keeps you engaged and prevents you from losing your place.
Listen for signposts: The speaker will say phrases like:
- "Now, if we move to..."
- "On the other side..."
- "Let's head over to..."
These signal a change in location.
Watch out for corrections: "We used to have the café here, but now it's a library." Make sure you label the current layout, not the old one!
Use process of elimination: If you're unsure between two options, eliminate the one that doesn't fit the description.

Common Traps & How to Avoid Them

Distractor Trap: Speaker says "You'll see the café on your left" (distractor), then "but the bookstore is actually on the right." Make sure you label the correct location!
Similar Names: "Sports Hall" vs "Sports Center". Listen carefully to the exact name.
Left vs Right Confusion: The speaker's left/right is from THEIR perspective as they "walk" the route. Imagine you're walking with them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Usually, yes. Section 2 is typically a monologue about a place (campus tour, city guide, building layout), which is perfect for maps. But they can appear in Section 1 too.

Practice Listening to Directions

Train your ears with real IELTS-style map tasks. Our platform includes audio samples with visual maps.