Academic Writing Task 1 · process diagram

The Industrial Manufacturing Process of Instant Noodle Cups

The diagram below shows how instant noodles are manufactured.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

  1. 1.Storage silos
  2. 2.Mixer
  3. 3.Dough sheets
  4. 4.Dough strips
  5. 5.Noodles discs
  6. 6.Cooking (oil) + drying
  7. 7.Vegetables + spices
  8. 8.Labelling + sealing

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Band 8 sample answer

The provided diagram illustrates the industrial manufacturing process of instant noodles, detailing the sequence of operations from raw material storage to the final packaging stage. Overall, the production cycle is a linear progression consisting of eight distinct steps, transforming flour, water, and oil into a packaged consumer product.

The process commences at the storage silos, where flour is delivered and subsequently transferred to a mixer. In this initial stage, water and oil are added to the flour to create a mixture. This substance is then passed through rollers to form dough sheets, which are further processed into dough strips. These strips are then cut into circular noodle discs.

Following the formation of the discs, the noodles undergo a cooking process involving oil, followed by a drying phase. Once the noodles are prepared, they are placed into cups. In the penultimate stage, vegetables and spices are added to the cups to enhance flavour. Finally, the cups undergo a labelling and sealing process, resulting in the finished product ready for distribution. The entire operation is highly mechanised, ensuring a consistent flow from raw ingredients to the final sealed cups.

187 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

How to write about process diagrams

commences
to begin or start a particular process
subsequently
happening after something else has already occurred
linear progression
a series of events following a straight line
penultimate
the stage immediately before the final one
mechanised
operated by machines rather than by hand
consisting of
to be made up of specific parts

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The production of instant noodles is a multi-stage linear process that begins with raw ingredients and concludes with the packaging of finished noodle cups.

How long should an IELTS Task 1 answer be?

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How do I describe process diagrams?

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.

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