IELTS & PTE lesson · Vocabulary

IELTS & PTE Describing a Process Vocabulary notesProcess words: first to last

Verbs, links and closers for a diagram. This IELTS & PTE lesson is a deck of 9 visual cards from BandLadder's own study library, written and fact-checked by our team.
  • 9 cards
  • Free to read online
  • PDF with any plan
  • Updated 30 September 2026

Original BandLadder material

What's inside

Along the way you get worked examples with the key words marked, before-and-after fixes that show why the first version loses marks, a one-page visual summary, word cards with meanings and examples (raw materials, a by-product, the resulting mixture and the final product), a quick check to test yourself and a recap of the rules to remember. Each card holds one idea, so you can read it on a phone between practice sessions.

Reading it online is free: create a free BandLadder account and the whole lesson opens in our study reader, on the web and in the app. Downloading the PDF to keep needs a plan; the free reader has every card.

The first 3 of 9 cards

Preview

  1. IELTS · PTEVocabulary · Describing a process

    Finally, not 'at last'

    closers that belong elsewhere

    Some closers sound smart but belong elsewhere. At last ends a wait; in conclusion ends an essay.

    Paper is sorted, then pulped. At last,a long wait? it is dried. In conclusion,that ends an essay it is cut.

    The fixes: Next, it is dried. Finally, it is cut.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material1 / 9
  2. IELTS · PTEVocabulary · Describing a process

    Passives by job

    what happens to the material

    JobThe passive
    Cleanis sorted · is filtered
    Break downis crushed · is ground
    Mixis stirred · is blended
    Shapeis pressed · is cut
    Heat or coolis boiled · is cooled
    Moveis fed · is poured
    Finishis trimmed · is wrapped

    Irregular: ground, fed, cut. Double the letter: stirred, trimmed, wrapped.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material2 / 9
  3. IELTS · PTEVocabulary · Describing a process

    What goes in, what comes out

    the nouns around the stages

    • raw materialswhat it starts with

      Raw materials arrive by lorry.

    • a by-producta side product

      Ash is sold as a by-product.

    • the resulting mixturewhat a stage made

      The resulting mixture is then screened.

    • the final productwhat comes out

      The final product is a roll of paper.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material3 / 9
  4. Card 4 of 9 onwards

    Keep reading free

    The other 6 cards open in the reader with a free account.

    Create a free account →

9 cards

Contents

  1. 1Finally, not 'at last'closers that belong elsewhereIn the preview
  2. 2Passives by jobwhat happens to the materialIn the preview
  3. 3What goes in, what comes outthe nouns around the stagesIn the preview
  4. 4Links inside a sentenceorder words that sit mid-sentenceFree account
  5. 5In a Task 1 processCoherence and Cohesion: how stages linkFree account
  6. 6Now say it out loudPTE: Content, Fluency, PronunciationFree account
  7. 7Two slips to swapa made-up participle, a wrong linkFree account
  8. 8Your turnverb, link, linkFree account
  9. 9Save thisthe process-words checklistFree account

Read the full Process words: first to last free

Create a free account and it opens in the study reader, with the rest of the BandLadder library. Download the PDF with any plan.

Create a free account →

Preparing for PTE? Read it in the PTE library.

Free practice

Practise it

Keep reading

More free IELTS study material

All free IELTS study material

Questions

FAQ

Is the Process words: first to last lesson free?+

Yes, to read online. Create a free BandLadder account and the full lesson opens in the study reader. No card details are needed.

Can I download the Process words: first to last PDF?+

The PDF download comes with any BandLadder plan. Free accounts read the lesson online in the study reader, on the web and in the app.

Who wrote this lesson?+

The BandLadder team wrote and checked it. It is original BandLadder material, not copied from books or other websites, and its exam facts are checked against the official IELTS and PTE pages.

Is it for IELTS or PTE?+

Both. The lesson is in the IELTS and the PTE study library, so it opens whichever exam you prepare for.

IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council and IDP Education Australia. PTE is a trademark of Pearson. BandLadder is not affiliated with either.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Read the full Process words: first to last free: create a free account