IELTS 4.

5 - Unit 1: Relationships

Lesson 2: WRITING TASK 1

- IELTS Writing task 1: Process

- Present Simple Passive in Process
In task 1 of the IELTS Writing test, you might be asked to describe a process. IELTS Task 1
process questions are not as common as charts or graphs, but they do come up occasionally.

There are generally two different types of process question: natural and man-made.

 Natural processes include things like the life cycle of a butterfly or frog, pregnancy, the
water cycle or how cows produce milk.

E.g. The diagram shows the life cycle of the honey bee.

 Man-made process, like how coffee, tea, beer or wine are made, how cement or bricks
are produced or how an ATM or the internet works.

E.g. The diagram illustrates the process that is used to manufacture bricks for the building
industry.
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1. WRITING INTRODUCTION
Useful structure
1. The diagram/graph shows/reveals/ illustrates/ represent + information/ data about + the
production of N over the period from … to …
2. The diagram/graph shows/reveals/ illustrates/ represent + information/ data about + the
process of producing/ making N in a period of …. years
3. The diagram/graph shows/reveals/ illustrates/ represent + information/ data about + the
process/ the steps involved in producing/ making N in a period of …. years
4. The diagram/graph shows/reveals/ illustrates/ represent + information/ data about + the
process by which N is produced from … to..
E.g.

Natural process Man-made process

The diagram illustrates the various stages in The chart illustrates the procedure through
the life of a honey bee. which bricks are produced for construction
work.

2. WRITING OVERVIEW
Overview should be included:
 the number of stages, and listing the first stage and the last stage.
 different sections of the process
IELTS 4.5 - Unit 1: Relationships

Useful structures:

it is clear from the diagram (that) there are …. stages/ steps

the most significant change in the the production of N includes … stages/

Overall,/
diagram is (that) steps
In general,
what stands out from the diagram is the process of producing N includes…
(that) stages/ steps

E.g.

Natural process Man-made process

Overall, we can see that the complete life
cycle lasts between 34 and 36 days. It is also
noticeable that there are five main stages in
the development of the honey bee, from egg
to mature adult insect.
Overall, the process of producing bricks is
comprised ten relatively simple stages during
which clay, sand and water are used to
produce baked bricks.

3. WRITING BODY PARAGRAPHS

3.1. Verb tense and passive voice

 The present simple tense is used to report actions which regularly happen in a process.
 The present perfect may also be used to signify the completion of a stage.

a. Nature event

Using the active form in order to focus

on the subject, instead of the object of
the stage.

E.g.

- The life cycle of the honey bee begins

when the female adult lays an egg.

- The female typically lays one or two

eggs every 3 days.

- The nymph grows in size and sheds its

skin three times.
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b. Artificial event

The human subjects are usually ignored.

The passive is used to focus on what is
being done. If the subject has also been
mentioned in the diagram, add it as an
“agent”

E.g. - Raw clay is dug using a digger.

- Water and sand are added.

- The bricks being packed on palettes

and delivered to end users.

PRACTICE: The diagram shows how water for irrigation and human consumption is produced
from sea mist. Complete the description of the process. Put the verbs in the correct form.

form (2) occur catch use feed condense carry along

The diagram 0 illustrates the process of capturing water from sea mist for human
consumption and agricultural use. It is clear that there are a number of stages involved
before the water 1_________ on farms and is drunk by people. The first stage of the process
2_________ when the sea water is heated by the sun. After that, evaporation takes place
when the heated moisture rises into the air. Once the air cools, the moisture in the air
3__________ and a mist 4__________ which is full of water droplets. The mist 5__________
by the wind towards the land. At the next stage, the mist reaches the mountainside where it
passes through a series of special nets. The droplets in the mist 6__________ by the nets
IELTS 4.5 - Unit 1: Relationships

and 7__________ larger drops. These then drip into the tank where 8__________ into the
farm irrigation system where it is used to grow vegetables.

3.2. Sequencing language

a. Before - after

First/ Second/Third, S + V The first stage is when + S + V

Firstly/Secondly/Thirdly, S + V The process commences with + N + Ving

To begin with, When S + V, S + V

At the following stage, S + V As soon as S + V, S + V

Following this, S + V Since NOUN PHRASE, S + V

Afterwards, S + V After this/ that, S + V

The next step involves N + V-ing Before S + V, S + V

Subsequently,/ then The next step is that S + V

Following/ Followed by + N-phrase When A has finished, B is able to start

The last stage: Finally, S + V; In the final stage, S + V; Last, S+V; Eventually
E.g. After being soaked for an hour, the mixture is beaten for about 45 seconds
The mixture is beaten for about 45 seconds and a pulp is formed afterwards.
At the following stage, the pulp is poured into a shallow tray and some water is also
added.
This is followed by a hand-mixing process.
b. At the same time: At the same time, S + V; Meanwhile, S + V; Simultaneously, S + V; By
this stage, S + V; While S + V, S + V; During + N-phrase, S + V
E.g. During its entire life cycle, salmon have lived in both freshwater and saltwater.
The rolling pin is used to flatten the pulp, thereby forcing out any excessive water.
Sand and soda are mixed and heated at the same time.
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4. MODEL ANSWER
4.1. Natural process
The diagram shows the life cycle of the honey bee. Summarize the information by selecting
and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

nymph = immature form of an insect

moult = shed or lose old feathers, hair or skin to allow for new growth

Sample:
The diagram illustrates the various stages in the life of a honey bee.
We can see that the complete life cycle lasts between 34 and 36 days. It is also noticeable
that there are five main stages in the development of the honey bee, from egg to mature
adult insect.
The life cycle of the honey bee begins when the female adult lays an egg; the female
typically lays one or two eggs every 3 days. Between 9 and 10 days later, each egg hatches
and the immature insect, or nymph, appears.
During the third stage of the life cycle, the nymph grows in size and sheds its skin three
times. This moulting first takes place 5 days after the egg hatches, then 7 days later, and
again another 9 days later. After a total of 30 to 31 days from the start of the cycle, the
young adult honey bee emerges from its final moulting stage, and in the space of only 4
days it reaches full maturity.
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4.2. Man-made process

The diagram illustrates the process that is used to manufacture bricks for the building
industry. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.

Sample:

The chart illustrates the procedure through which bricks are produced for construction
work.
Overall, the process of producing bricks is comprised ten relatively simple stages during
which clay, sand and water are used to produce baked bricks.
It commences when raw clay is dug using a digger following which is sifted through a metal
grid into finer fragments which then fall onto a conveyor belt. In the next stage, water and
sand are added and the resulting mixture is either pushed through a frame and cut into
simple bricks, or is moulded into specially-formed bricks. These are then placed in a special
oven for two to three days in order to minimize their moisture content. The following three
stages involve the use of a couple of kilns and a cooling chamber: bricks are first heated
moderately in the first kiln to reach a temperature of between 200 and 980 degrees
centigrade before being subjected to higher temperature (870 to 1300 degrees) in the
second one. Next, they are allowed to cool down for two to three days in the cooling
chamber.
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The process ends with the bricks being packed on palettes and delivered to end users on
trucks.
*Note: In the sample,
 Passive structures are in bold, underlined.

 Sequencing languages are in italic.