ULEARN – IELTS TRAINER | SCHOLAR WRITING TASK 1 WEEK 9

Scholar Writing Task 1 – Week 9

IELTS Process and Diagrams

When we talk about the IELTS Academic writing task 1, the process chart is
one of the most commonly asked questions in the exam. A IELTS process chart is
a graphical/pictorial illustration of a cycle or a sequence of events that occur in
a process. Whenever the IELTS Academic Writing task 1 asks you to elucidate a
process chart, you are expected to depict the chart and explain the sequence
provided in the chart. You are scored on the basis of your comprehension of the
process chart, the way you explain it, the aptness of the vocabulary, the construction
of the sentences, and the soundness of grammatical usage.

The diagram is a process or a procedure with phases, stages and steps.

A procedure is a set of actions that is the official or accepted way of doing

something.

Examples:
The company has introduced new procedures for dealing with customer complaints.
Staff must follow correct procedure at all times.

Phrases with procedure:

- an accepted/established/standard procedure for smth

- normal/proper/usual procedure
- appeals/complaints/emergency procedures
- accounting/audit/control procedures
- court/grievance/legal procedure
- verb + procedure: adopt/follow/review procedures

There are usually 5 types of process in the IELTS Writing Task 1:

1. A life cycle: a living creature ( the salmon); an object ( a star/ a T - shirt)

2. A How - to and Manufacturing process: The making of candles.
3. A natural phenomenon: rainbow/ acid rain
4. A technical system and how it works: The domestic heating system
5. Description of objects

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 ULEARN – IELTS TRAINER | SCHOLAR WRITING TASK 1 WEEK 9

TYPE 1: THE LIFE CYCLE

SAMPLE TASK:
The diagram below illustrates the life cycle and anatomy of a lady bird:

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PRACTICE 1:
Fill the blanks in the following sample with the words provided in the box below.
You may need to change the word forms to ensure the sentences are grammatically
correct.

wing fix spot remain hatch end behind stage emerge

eggs lay structure elytra finish curl over

The first diagram illustrates the (1)………………in the life of a lady bird, while the
second diagram, shows its body (2)…………………….Overall, there are four
stages in the life cycle of a lady bird from (3)………………to adult insect. The lady
bird’s anatomy is characterised by colourful (4)…………. Of red and black.

Initially, eggs are (5)……………..on the underside of a leaf and

(6)………………………there for between two to five days. After this, larvae
(7)……………………..from the eggs and continue in that form for 21 days. At the
end of the three weeks, the pupa stage begins where the larvae pupate by (8)
……………………….into a pupa on the backside of a leaf and this lasts for 7 days.
At the (9)……………………….of this stage, an adult lady bird emerges and the life
cycle starts again.

The second diagram shows that the lady bird has bright red elytra with black
(10)……………………that cover both the wings and the abdomen. It also has six
legs in total, three on each side. On its head, it has eyes and antennae, while just
(11)………………… the head there is the pronotum.

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SAMPLE 2
2. The diagram shows the life cycle of the honey bee. Two things to consider
are:
1. How to summarise the diagram before describing the stages in detail.
2. Whether to use active or passive verb forms

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 ULEARN – IELTS TRAINER | SCHOLAR WRITING TASK 1 WEEK 9

EXAMPLES

Look at the diagram about the metamorphosis of a frog. ( Metamorphosis is the

process by which an animal changes its form as it matures.)

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PRACTICE 2:
The diagram below shows the stages a company should go through before launching
a product globally. Summarise the information by selecting and recording the main
features, and make comparisons where relevant.

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B. Complete the summary below using words from the box.

Not all the words are needed.

Time Order Reason/ Purpose Example

after that first so that/in order that such as
once/when/after next in order to/ so as to for example
as soon as finally for instance

The diagram shows the six main stages that a company should follow when
launching a product internationally in a new market.

(1)............................ go global with a product, the (2)............................ thing you

need to do is prepare an international business plan which will help you evaluate
your needs and goals for your company. (3)................................. extensive market
research needs to be conducted overseas. This will help you identify the potential
international markets for your particular product.

(4)..................................... it is important to evaluate and select the right methods of

distribution for your product abroad. There are several ways to do this,
(5)................................through company-owned foreign subsidiaries, by working
through agents, or by setting up joint ventures. (6 )...................you have chosen the
distribution method, familiarise yourself with local methods of setting prices and
negotiating deals. It is also a good idea to find out what legal matters are involved
in exporting so that you don't make any mistakes.

Before your product can be launched in the new market, make sure you comply
with local regulations: (7) ………………….. in your packaging and labelling.
Following these six stages should ensure success in the new market.

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PRACTICE 4:

The diagram shows how a successful international transaction works from an

ATM (automated teller machine).
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and
make comparisons where relevant.

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TYPE 2: THE HOW TO & MANUFACTURING PROCESS

PRACTICE 1:
Look at the diagram about drying out a mobile phone. Then rewrite the steps in
the process using expressions in the language box to help you.

Step 1: The phone must be removed from the water as soon as possible.
Step 2: The phone should be placed on paper towels.
Step 3: The case should be removed and the back of the phone taken off.
Step 4: The phone should be dried with a soft cloth.
Step 5: The battery and the SIM card should be removed. They should be dried off.
(Write. this is one sentence.)
Step 6: A vacuum cleaner can be used to remove remaining water from the inner
sections of the phone.
Step 7: The phone can be placed in a bag of uncooked rice overnight to soak up any
remaining water.

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PRACTICE 2:
Look at the diagram which shows the steps involved in producing coffee. Then
complete the sentences describing the process. Use the correct verb forms.
1. The first step…………………………………………………………………
2. Then, the seedings……………………………………………………………
3. Next, what are called the cherries…………………………………………..
4. The following step……………………………………………………………
5. Once the green coffee……………………………………………………….in
bags, it can……………………………………………...in container ships.
6. Green coffee is next ……………………………………………………..…….
7. After the coffee beans …………………………………………………..…….
8. Coffee must ………………………………………...by professional tasters.
9. After that, the ground coffee……………………………..in cans or bags and
then it……………………………………………………..in stores.

10. The final steps………………………………………….and to enjoy it.

6.Look at the diagram about the life cycle of a star. Answer these questions.
1. What process is shown?
2. What alternatives are shown in the diagram?
3. How many stages are there in the life of an average star?
4. How many stages are there in the life of a massive star?

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PRACTICE 3: Read the description of how chocolate is made. Add the relative
clauses (a-i) to the text in the gaps and write in the appropriate relative
pronoun where, which or that.

Chocolate's varied flavours, colours, shapes and textures result from different recipe
traditions 1 …..G…. The essential ingredient in all chocolate is cocoa, which is
made from the cream-coloured beans 2 . ……. . The cacao tree, 3………... produces
a fruit about the size of a small pineapple, 4 ………….
After harvesting, the cocoa beans are removed from the pods and piled in heaps
5…... The dried beans are then transported to factories 6 ….. . The shells are then
removed and the beans are ground into chocolate liquor - a thick brown liquid 7…..
This liquor contains a high percentage of fat (cocoa butter), 8………. The solid
block of cocoa that remains is then made into a powder 9….... , or is mixed back
with some of the cocoa butter, sugar and other flavour such as vanilla to make the
different kinds of chocolate.
A. ………………... is removed by using presses
B. ………………... they are sorted and roasted
C. ………………... are left for several days to dry
D. ………………... can be used to make a hot chocolate drink
E. …. grows in equatorial regions such as South America, Africa and Indonesia
F. ………………... forms a solid at about room temperature
G. ……which…………... have evolved in different parts of the world
H. inside………………... are the tree's seeds
I. ………………... grow in pods on the cacao

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PRACTICE 4:
The diagrams below show the life cycle of the silkworm and the stages in the
production of silk cloth.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and
make comparisons where relevant.

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PRACTICE 5:

The diagram below shows two different processes for manufacturing black tea.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and
make comparisons where relevant.

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PRACTICE 6
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagrams below give information about the manufacture of frozen fish ples.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and
make comparisons where relevant.

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FURTHER SELF - STUDY TASKS

TASK 1
The diagram below shows the life cycle of a sea turtle.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and
make comparisons where relevant.

14. You should spend 20 minutes on this task.

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TASK 2:
The diagram below shows the process by which bricks are manufactured for the
building industry.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and
make comparisons where relevant

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TASK 3: You should spend 20 minutes on this task.

The diagrams below show the life cycle of a species of large fish called the
salmon.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and
make comparisons where relevant.

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TASK 4:
You should spend 20 minutes on this task.
The images below explain the process of how pollutants from modern life become
acid rain that in turn pollutes the environment and the food chain.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and
make comparisons where relevant.

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TASK 5: You should spend 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows the product life-cycle of the car.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and
make comparisons where relevant.

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TASK 6:
The diagram shows the guidance on how to change car tyres.

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TASK 7
The diagram below shows how to operate a hot air balloon.

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TASK 8
The diagram below shows the recycling of glass.

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TASK 9

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TASK 10

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GUIDELINES/ TIPS AND TACTICS FOR DIAGRAMS

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LANGUAGE GUIDES

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