Academic Writing Task 1 · process diagram

The step-by-step industrial process of manufacturing ethanol fuel from corn

The diagram below shows how ethanol fuel is produced from corn.

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

  1. 1.Corn
  2. 2.Storing
  3. 3.Milling
  4. 4.Cooking (4 hours) with Water
  5. 5.Fermenting (48 hours)
  6. 6.Separating into Liquid and Solid by-product
  7. 7.Purifying Ethanol (5 hours)
  8. 8.Storing
  9. 9.Transporting

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 ethanol fuel using corn as the primary raw material. Overall, the process is linear and comprises nine distinct steps, beginning with the preparation of raw corn and concluding with the distribution of the final fuel product.

Initially, corn is stored and then milled before being cooked for four hours with the addition of water. Following this, the mixture undergoes a fermentation process, which is the most time-consuming stage, lasting 48 hours. Once fermented, the substance is separated into a solid by-product and a liquid component.

In the subsequent phase, the liquid is directed to a purification stage, which requires five hours to complete. After the ethanol has been purified, it is stored in a designated facility. The final stage of the operation involves the transportation of the ethanol fuel to its intended destination. Throughout this sequence, the process transforms raw agricultural input into a refined energy source, with specific time allocations noted for the cooking, fermentation, and purification phases, ensuring the efficiency of the ethanol manufacturing cycle.

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

How to write about process diagrams

comprises
consists of or is made up of parts
subsequent
coming after something else in a sequence
linear
arranged in or extending along a straight line
allocated
distributed for a particular purpose or time
refined
processed to remove impurities or unwanted elements
initial
existing or occurring at the beginning

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The production of ethanol from corn is a multi-stage industrial process that involves several mechanical and chemical treatments, with the entire sequence spanning from initial storage to final transportation.

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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