Academic Writing Task 1 · process diagram

The manufacturing process of frozen fish pies from raw ingredients

The diagrams below give information about the manufacture of frozen fish pies.

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

A fish pie

1.Microwaveable container
2.Peas
3.Sauce
4.Fish
5.Potato

Fish pie production line

1.Potatoes delivery (up to one month)
2.Clean potatoes
3.Peel potatoes
4.Slice potatoes
5.Boil potatoes
6.Chill potatoes
7.Store potatoes
8.Fresh salmon delivery (12 hours or less)
9.Add lemon juice and salt to salmon
10.Steam salmon
11.Remove skins and bones
12.Inspect salmon
13.Add prepared peas
14.Add prepared sauce
15.Combine ingredients and wrap
16.Freeze
17.Store/dispatch

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 diagrams illustrate the industrial manufacturing process of frozen fish pies, detailing the separate preparation stages for potatoes and salmon before they are combined for final packaging.

Overall, the production line is divided into two distinct streams: one for potatoes, which can be stored for up to one month, and another for fresh salmon, which must be processed within 12 hours of delivery. These streams eventually merge to create the final product.

Regarding the potato line, raw potatoes undergo cleaning, peeling, and slicing. Subsequently, they are boiled and chilled before being stored. Meanwhile, the salmon line begins with the delivery of fresh fish, which is immediately seasoned with lemon juice and salt. The salmon is then steamed, followed by the manual removal of skins and bones. After a quality inspection, the fish is combined with prepared peas and sauce.

Finally, the prepared ingredients are assembled into microwaveable containers and wrapped. The completed pies are then frozen and moved to a storage facility, where they await dispatch to retailers. The entire process ensures that fresh ingredients are transformed into a convenient, ready-to-eat frozen meal.

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

How to write about 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.

parallel: occurring at the same time in separate lines
converge: to come together from different directions to meet
subsequently: happening after something else in a sequence
distinct: clearly different or of a different kind
assembled: put together from several different component parts
transformed: changed completely in form or appearance

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The production of frozen fish pies involves two parallel processing lines for potatoes and salmon that converge before the final packaging, freezing, and dispatch stages.

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.