The process of recycling waste paper into new usable paper products
'The chart below shows the process of waste paper recycling.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
- 1.Waste paper collection
- 2.Sorting by hand
- 3.Transportation
- 4.Cleaning
- 5.De-inking
- 6.Paper making machine
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 flowchart illustrates the sequential stages involved in the recycling of waste paper. Overall, the process is a cyclical operation that transforms discarded paper materials into new, usable products through a series of mechanical and chemical treatments.
The process commences with the collection of waste paper from various sources, including public paper banks and commercial businesses. Once collected, the material undergoes a manual sorting phase, where the paper is graded and any unsuitable items are discarded. Following this, the sorted paper is transported to a paper mill for further processing.
Upon arrival at the mill, the paper enters the cleaning stage, which involves pulping the material and removing contaminants such as staples. Subsequently, the pulp undergoes a de-inking process to eliminate residual inks and glues. Finally, the cleaned and de-inked pulp is fed into a paper-making machine, which manufactures the final usable paper product. This systematic approach ensures that waste materials are efficiently repurposed, thereby reducing the need for raw materials in paper production.
165 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.
- sequential
- following a logical order or a set sequence
- cyclical
- occurring in cycles or a repeating series
- transforms
- makes a thorough or dramatic change in form
- commences
- to begin or start a specific process
- subsequently
- happening after something else in a sequence
- repurposed
- adapted for use in a different way
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 writingOn your phone? Get the BandLadder app.
Frequently asked questions
What should the overview say?
The recycling process consists of six distinct stages, beginning with the collection of waste paper and concluding with the production of new paper via a machine.
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
- 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
- All 677 Task 1 samples · Task 2 sample essays