Academic Writing Task 1 · process diagram

The manufacturing process for producing electronic circuit boards

The diagram shows the production of circuit boards.

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

Circuit-board Production
  1. 1.Delivery of circuit-board material
  2. 2.Cutting and spraying with fire retardant
  3. 3.Cleaning
  4. 4.Automated IC attachment and soldering
  5. 5.Visual inspection and quality control testing
  6. 6.Final testing
  7. 7.Packaging
  8. 8.Delivery to factories
  9. 9.Chips from rejected boards thrown away

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 manufacturing of circuit boards, from the initial delivery of raw materials to the final distribution of the finished products to factories.

Overall, the production process is a linear sequence that incorporates two critical quality control stages. Throughout the manufacturing cycle, there are specific points where defective components are identified and discarded, ensuring that only high-quality boards proceed to the final packaging stage.

The process begins with the delivery of circuit-board material, which is subsequently cut and sprayed with fire retardant. Following this, the material undergoes a cleaning phase before moving to the automated IC attachment and soldering stage. Once the components are attached, the boards are subjected to a visual inspection and quality control testing. If any boards fail this inspection, the chips are removed and discarded, while the remaining boards proceed to final testing.

During the final testing phase, any further defects result in the chips being thrown away. Boards that pass this final assessment are then packaged and prepared for delivery to factories. This systematic approach ensures that only functional circuit boards reach the end of the production line.

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

How to write about process diagrams

sequential
following a logical order or a set sequence
linear
arranged in or extending along a straight line
subsequently
happening after something else in a sequence
incorporates
to include something as part of a whole
defective
imperfect or containing a fault or flaw
systematic
done or acting according to a fixed plan

Write your own report and get a band

Take a timed Academic writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Practise IELTS Academic writing

On your phone? Get the BandLadder app.

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The production process involves a series of sequential stages starting from raw material delivery and ending with final distribution, with quality control checkpoints integrated to manage defective components.

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.

More process diagrams