Academic Writing Task 1 · process diagram

The Industrial Process Involved in the Manufacturing of Building Bricks

The diagram illustrates the process that is used to manufacture bricks for the building industry.

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

The Brick Manufacturing Process
  1. 1.Digging clay
  2. 2.Passing clay through a metal grid and rollers
  3. 3.Adding sand and water
  4. 4.Shaping via wire cutter or mould
  5. 5.Drying in an oven for 24-48 hours
  6. 6.Firing in a moderate kiln at 200°C - 980°C
  7. 7.Firing in a high-temperature kiln at 870°C - 1300°C
  8. 8.Cooling in a chamber for 48-72 hours
  9. 9.Packaging
  10. 10.Delivery

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 various stages involved in the industrial production of bricks for the construction sector. Overall, the process is a linear sequence that transforms raw clay into finished bricks through a series of mechanical, thermal, and cooling treatments, spanning several days.

The initial phase involves extracting clay using a digger, which is then processed through a metal grid and rollers. At this point, sand and water are added to the mixture. The clay is subsequently shaped into bricks using either a wire cutter or a mould. Once formed, these raw bricks are placed in a drying oven for a period of 24 to 48 hours to remove moisture.

Following the drying stage, the bricks undergo a two-stage firing process. They are first heated in a kiln at a moderate temperature ranging from 200°C to 980°C, followed by a high-temperature firing between 870°C and 1300°C. After being fired, the bricks are moved to a cooling chamber for 48 to 72 hours. The final steps of the production cycle involve packaging the cooled bricks and loading them onto a truck for delivery to their destination.

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

How to write about process diagrams

linear sequence
a series of events occurring in a line
culminating
reaching the final or highest point of development
subsequently
happening after something else has already taken place
ranging from
indicating the minimum and maximum values of something
production cycle
the complete series of steps to make goods
spanning
extending across a specific period of time

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The brick manufacturing process is a linear sequence consisting of ten distinct stages, beginning with the extraction of raw clay and culminating in the delivery of the finished product.

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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