Structure
How to describe a process diagram
- →Number the stages on the diagram and decide whether it is linear (start to finish) or cyclical (returns to the start).
- →Overview: what the process produces or achieves, how many main stages, and whether it is man-made or natural.
- →Body: two paragraphs splitting the stages roughly in half, each stage in a sentence or two with a sequencer: first, next, once, after which, at the same time, finally.
- →Use the passive for actions where the agent is unknown or unimportant (the mixture is heated to 200 degrees) and the active for natural processes (water evaporates).
The full method, with scoring and common mistakes, is in the IELTS Task 1 process diagram guide.
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Process diagrams: all sample answers
- A diagram illustrating a potential future method for home energy production
- A diagram illustrating the circular and linear lifecycle of plastic products
- A diagram illustrating the domestic water cycle and rainwater reuse process
- A diagram illustrating the functional components and operation of a hot air balloon
- A diagram illustrating the global classification of various English language branches
- A diagram illustrating the industrial process of manufacturing olive oil
- A diagram illustrating the industrial production process of manufacturing cheese
- A diagram illustrating the lifecycle of uranium in nuclear power production
- A diagram illustrating the natural process of the water cycle
- A diagram illustrating the nine-stage manufacturing process of bamboo fabric
- A diagram illustrating the process of generating electricity from a dam
- A diagram illustrating the process of producing drinking water using solar power
- A diagram illustrating the process of the greenhouse effect on Earth
- A diagram illustrating the seven-stage process of honey production by bees
- A diagram illustrating the structural components and functional mechanism of a neuron
- A flow chart illustrating the environmental consequences of clear cutting forests
- Comparison of present and future water supply systems in Australia
- Design principles for energy-efficient housing in warm and cold climates
- Diagrams illustrating flood protection strategies for buildings in flood-prone areas
- Diagrams illustrating house design principles for cool and warm climates
- How a geothermal power plant uses water to generate electricity
- Present and future water supply in an Australian city: from linear to circular
- The biological process of how plants produce food and energy
- The Construction and Operation of a Simple Water Filtration System
- The cyclical process of recycling glass bottles for consumer use
- The environmental lifecycle stages of a manufactured consumer product
- The evolution of simple cooking equipment through three distinct stages
- The evolutionary development of the horse over forty million years
- The four-stage process for constructing and operating a modern household landfill
- The Industrial Manufacturing Process of Instant Noodle Cups
- The Industrial Process for Extracting Essential Oils for Perfume Production
- The Industrial Process Involved in the Manufacturing of Building Bricks
- The Industrial Process Involved in the Production of Soft Cheese
- The industrial process of manufacturing carbonated soft drinks for retail
- The industrial process of manufacturing potato chips from raw potatoes
- The Industrial Process of Manufacturing Pulp and Paper Products
- The Life Cycle and Migration Pattern of the Monarch Butterfly
- The life cycle of a salmon from egg to adult fish
- The life cycle of a salmon from egg to adult stage
- The life cycle of the silkworm and the production of silk cloth
- The manufacturing process for producing electronic circuit boards
- The Manufacturing Process for Producing Sugar from Sugar Cane
- The manufacturing process of black tea using traditional and modern methods
Frequently asked questions
How do I describe an IELTS process diagram in Task 1?+
Say how many stages there are and where the process starts and ends. Use the passive and sequencers: first, after this, once, finally. Keep every stage; a missing step costs task achievement.
What band are these process diagram sample answers?+
Each of the 85 process diagram samples has a Band 8 model answer. The chart is redrawn with its data, and every figure in the answer comes from that chart.
How many words and how long for Task 1?+
At least 150 words in about 20 minutes. 170 to 200 words is the safe range; leave 40 minutes for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.
Do I need an overview for a process diagram?+
Yes. State what the process is for, how many stages it has, and where it starts and ends. Without it task achievement is capped at band 5.
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Other Task 1 chart types
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