How to Describe a Process Diagram in IELTS Writing Task 1
A Comprehensive Guide for IELTS Success
A process diagram shows how something works or is made, through a series of steps or stages. Your task is to describe the process accurately and completely, identifying the main stages and highlighting key features.
In this presentation, you will learn:
- How to understand different types of process diagrams
- How to structure your response effectively
- What language features to use for describing processes
- How to achieve a high band score
- Common mistakes to avoid
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Understanding Process Diagrams
Process diagrams in IELTS Writing Task 1 require you to describe a sequence of events, actions, or stages that show how something works or is created.
Common Types of Process Diagrams:
Natural Processes
- Water cycle
- Life cycles of animals/plants
- Geological formations
- Weather phenomena
Manufacturing Processes
- How products are made
- Industrial procedures
- Food production
- Material processing
Technical Processes
- How machines work
- Energy production
- Recycling systems
- Water treatment
Organizational Processes
- Application procedures
- Booking systems
- Administrative workflows
- Educational systems
Key Reminder:
Unlike other Task 1 questions, process diagrams don’t require you to compare data or identify trends. Instead, you need to describe the sequence of steps accurately and completely.
Task Requirements
Understanding what the examiners expect will help you focus your response effectively.
Official Task Description:
“You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The diagram shows a process. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.”
Key Requirements:
- Completeness: Cover all main stages of the process
- Accuracy: Describe the process correctly
- Coherence: Present information in a logical sequence
- Appropriate language: Use suitable vocabulary and grammar for processes
- Paraphrasing: Use your own words rather than copying from the diagram
Word Count:
You should write at least 150 words. Most successful answers are between 170-190 words. Writing significantly more than 200 words is unnecessary and may lead to errors.
Time Management:
- 1-2 minutes: Analyze the diagram and identify main stages
- 2-3 minutes: Plan your response structure
- 12-14 minutes: Write your response
- 2-3 minutes: Check for errors
Analyzing the Diagram
Before writing, carefully analyze the diagram to understand what it shows.
Key Questions to Ask:
- What is the overall process being shown?
- Where does the process begin and end?
- How many main stages are there?
- Is it a linear or cyclical process?
- Are there any parallel stages or alternatives?
- Are there any conditional stages?
- What materials/elements enter and exit the process?
- Are there any numbered stages to follow?
Identifying Process Types:
Linear Process
Has a clear beginning and end
Example: Manufacturing of chocolate from cocoa beans
Cyclical Process
Returns to the starting point
Example: Water cycle, carbon cycle
Branching Process
Has alternative pathways or outcomes
Example: Waste sorting and recycling
Multi-stage Process
Involves several distinct phases
Example: Water treatment system
Important:
Look for any labels, arrows, or numbers that indicate the sequence of steps. These will guide how you structure your description.
Response Structure
A well-organized response follows a clear, logical structure that mirrors the process itself.
Recommended Structure:
- Introduction: Overview of the process (what it shows)
- Body paragraph(s): Detailed description of stages in sequence
- Conclusion: Optional summary (rarely needed)
Introduction:
Your introduction should:
- Paraphrase what the diagram shows (type of process)
- Mention the overall purpose of the process
- Indicate the number of main stages (if clear)
- State whether it’s a natural, manufacturing, or technical process
Body Paragraphs:
Organize your body paragraph(s) based on:
- Linear processes: Begin → Middle → End
- Cyclical processes: Pick a logical starting point and follow the cycle
- Complex processes: Group related stages together in separate paragraphs
Note on Conclusions:
Unlike essays, process descriptions rarely need a separate conclusion paragraph. If your description is complete, simply end with the final stage of the process.
Writing an Effective Introduction
Your introduction should provide a concise overview of what the process diagram shows.
Components of a Good Introduction:
- General description: What the diagram illustrates
- Process identification: The specific process being shown
- Brief overview: Number of stages or general sequence (optional)
Example Introductions:
The diagram illustrates the process of making chocolate, from the harvesting of cocoa beans to the production of the final product. (Manufacturing process)
The diagram depicts the water cycle, showing how water circulates through the environment via a series of natural stages. (Natural process)
The diagram shows how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station through a series of five main stages. (Technical process)
Paraphrasing the Question:
DO
- Rephrase the title of the diagram
- Use synonyms for key terms
- Change sentence structure
- Add relevant overview information
DON’T
- Copy the exact wording of the question
- Include minor details
- Express opinions or add information
- Write a lengthy introduction (1-2 sentences is sufficient)
Describing the Process
When describing the process, maintain a clear sequential order and provide appropriate detail for each stage.
Guidelines for Description:
- Follow the sequence: Describe stages in the order they occur
- Use connectors: Include sequence markers to show progression
- Balance detail: Cover all stages without excessive focus on any one stage
- Use passive voice: Often more appropriate for describing processes
- Avoid repetition: Vary your vocabulary and sentence structures
Example Body Paragraph:
The process begins when cocoa pods are harvested from trees and split open to extract the beans. (First stage)
Next, these beans undergo fermentation for approximately six days, followed by a drying period of about one week. (Second & third stages)
Once dried, the beans are transported to factories where they are cleaned and roasted at high temperatures. After roasting, the beans are crushed to remove their outer shells, leaving behind cocoa nibs. (Fourth & fifth stages)
These nibs are then ground into a thick paste called chocolate liquor, which is subsequently mixed with other ingredients such as sugar, milk, and vanilla according to the type of chocolate being produced. Finally, the mixture is molded into bars or other shapes before being packaged for distribution. (Final stages)
Tip:
Group related stages together in a single paragraph. If the process is complex, you might need two body paragraphs to cover all stages clearly.
Sequence Markers
Use these transition words and phrases to show the order of steps in the process.
Starting the Process:
- The process begins with/when…
- Initially,…
- First,/First of all,…
- The first step involves…
- The process starts when…
- At the beginning of the process,…
- In the first stage,…
- The procedure commences with…
Continuing the Process:
- Next,/Following this,…
- Then,/After that,…
- Subsequently,…
- In the next stage,…
- Once this is done,…
- This is followed by…
- The next step involves…
- After/Upon completion of this stage,…
Showing Simultaneous Actions:
- Meanwhile,/At the same time,…
- Simultaneously,…
- During this stage,…
- While this is happening,…
Concluding the Process:
- Finally,/Lastly,…
- In the final stage,…
- The process ends when/with…
- Eventually,/Ultimately,…
- The final step involves…
- At the conclusion of the process,…
Process Vocabulary
Use these specific verbs, nouns, and phrases to describe processes accurately.
Process Verbs:
Manufacturing & Technical
- process, manufacture, produce
- extract, refine, filter
- assemble, construct, build
- heat, cool, freeze
- mix, blend, combine
Natural Processes
- evaporate, condense, precipitate
- erode, decay, decompose
- grow, develop, mature
- absorb, release, emit
- circulate, cycle, flow
Process Nouns:
- stage, phase, step
- procedure, operation, method
- production, processing, treatment
- transformation, conversion, change
- input, output, byproduct
- system, mechanism, cycle
- sequence, series, chain
- equipment, machinery, device
Passive Voice Constructions:
Processes are often described using the passive voice:
- The material is heated to 200°C.
- The mixture is then filtered to remove impurities.
- Next, the product is packaged in containers.
- Once dried, the beans are transported to factories.
- After being crushed, the materials are sorted.
Tip:
While passive voice is common in process descriptions, active voice can also be used, especially for natural processes: “Water evaporates from the ocean surface and forms clouds.”
Grammar for Processes
Appropriate grammar is essential for describing processes accurately and coherently.
Tenses:
Simple Present
Use for general processes that happen regularly or are always true.
Water evaporates, forms clouds, and then falls as rain.
The cocoa beans are harvested and then transported to factories.
Present Passive
Use to focus on the actions rather than who performs them.
The raw materials are collected and transported to the factory.
Sugar is added and the mixture is stirred continuously.
Other Useful Grammar Structures:
-ing Forms (Participle Clauses)
- Following fermentation, the beans are dried.
- After being cleaned, the materials are sorted.
-ed Forms (Participle Clauses)
- Once harvested, the crops are transported.
- When heated to 100°C, the liquid begins to boil.
Advanced Grammar: Purpose and Result
- The mixture is stirred to ensure even consistency. (purpose)
- The temperature is increased, resulting in faster evaporation. (result)
- The product is cooled in order to solidify it. (purpose)
- The materials are refined, which leads to higher quality. (result)
Dealing with Numbers and Measurements
Process diagrams often include specific quantities, durations, temperatures, or other measurements that you should incorporate into your description.
Types of Measurements in Processes:
Time Measurements
- Durations of stages
- Processing times
- Waiting/curing periods
- Frequencies
Physical Measurements
- Temperatures
- Weights and volumes
- Distances
- Speeds
- Pressures
How to Include Measurements:
Basic: The dough is baked at 180°C for 25 minutes.
More Complex: The water is heated to between 90°C and 95°C, maintaining this temperature range for approximately 5-8 minutes.
With Proportion: About 60% of the water evaporates during this process, leaving a more concentrated solution.
Vocabulary for Approximate Numbers:
- approximately/about/around
- roughly/nearly
- just over/just under
- a little more than/slightly less than
- in the region of
- between X and Y
- from X to Y
- up to/as much as
Important Note:
Always include significant measurements shown in the diagram, but there’s no need to convert units unless specifically asked. Use the same units that appear in the diagram.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Being aware of these common errors will help you improve your score.
Content Mistakes
- Missing stages: Leaving out key steps in the process
- Incorrect sequence: Describing steps in the wrong order
- Adding information: Including details not shown in the diagram
- Over-focusing: Spending too much time on one stage
- Misinterpreting the diagram: Misunderstanding what is shown
Language Mistakes
- Tense inconsistency: Switching between past and present
- Overuse of simple words: Repeating “then,” “next,” “after that”
- Lack of cohesion: No clear connection between stages
- Copying from the diagram: Using exact words/phrases
- Informal language: Using contractions or colloquial expressions
Other Mistakes to Avoid:
- Adding personal opinions: “This is an efficient/interesting process”
- Making recommendations: “The process could be improved by…”
- Writing too much: Going beyond 200 words with unnecessary detail
- Writing too little: Less than 150 words, missing key information
- Not using paragraphs: Creating one large block of text
Examiner’s Perspective:
Examiners are looking for your ability to describe the process accurately, coherently, and in appropriate language. They’re not testing your technical knowledge of the process itself.
Band Score Requirements
Understanding the assessment criteria will help you target areas for improvement.
IELTS Task 1 Assessment Criteria:
Task Achievement (25%)
- How completely you cover the information
- How clearly you highlight key features
- How well you follow the task requirements
- Word count (minimum 150 words)
Coherence and Cohesion (25%)
- Logical organization of information
- Appropriate paragraphing
- Use of linking words and phrases
- Clear progression of ideas
Lexical Resource (25%)
- Range of vocabulary
- Accuracy of word choice
- Use of appropriate process terminology
- Ability to paraphrase
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)
- Range of sentence structures
- Grammatical accuracy
- Appropriate use of tenses
- Control of complex structures
What’s Required for Band 7+:
- Cover all key stages of the process completely and accurately
- Organize information logically with clear paragraphing
- Use a range of linking devices appropriately
- Demonstrate a good range of vocabulary with only occasional errors
- Use a mix of simple and complex sentences with good grammatical control
Sample Process Diagram
Let’s analyze a typical IELTS process diagram and how to approach it.
Sample Task:
The diagram below shows how cement is produced and how it is used to make concrete for building purposes.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
[Diagram showing the cement and concrete production process, from limestone and clay extraction through crushing, heating, mixing, and final application]
Key Elements to Identify:
- Process type: Manufacturing process (two connected processes)
- Main stages: Raw material extraction → cement production → concrete mixing → application
- Structure: Linear process with inputs at different stages
- Key vocabulary needed: Extraction, crushing, heating, mixing, materials
Planning Approach:
- Introduction: Overview of cement and concrete production process
- First paragraph: From raw materials to cement powder (first half of process)
- Second paragraph: From cement powder to concrete application (second half)
Sample Answer
The diagram illustrates the manufacturing process of cement and its subsequent use in producing concrete for construction purposes. This industrial process consists of multiple stages, from the extraction of raw materials to the final application of concrete.
The production of cement begins with the extraction of limestone and clay from the earth. These raw materials are then crushed into a powder and mixed together in precise proportions. Following this, the mixture is passed through a rotating heater where it is subjected to extreme temperatures. This heating process creates small, round pellets known as clinker. The clinker is subsequently ground into a fine powder and combined with gypsum, resulting in the final cement product, which is packaged in bags for distribution.
To produce concrete, the cement is mixed with sand, water, and small stones or gravel in a concrete mixer. The proportions of these materials vary depending on the specific requirements of the construction project. Once thoroughly mixed, the resulting concrete is poured into prepared frameworks at construction sites. Finally, the concrete is allowed to set and harden, creating solid structures suitable for building purposes.
Word count: 182 words
Key Strengths of This Answer:
- Clear and complete coverage of all stages in the process
- Logical organization following the sequence of the process
- Appropriate use of sequence markers (then, following this, subsequently)
- Varied vocabulary specific to the manufacturing process
- Mix of simple and complex sentences with good control
- Consistent use of present tense throughout