IELTS Writing Task 1 Process Writing

Some useful tips for process writing:

IELTS writing task 1 Process Writing

Understanding the Task

• Task Type: You may be given a natural process (e.g., water cycle, photosynthesis) or a man-made process (e.g., making cement, recycling plastic).
• Objective: Describe all stages of the process in a logical sequence.
• Word Count: Minimum 150 words.
• Time Limit: Spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Structure of Your Answer

1. Introduction (1 sentence)

• Paraphrase the task question.
• Use synonyms and different sentence structures.

Example:

The diagram illustrates how coffee is produced and packaged for sale.

2. Overview (1–2 sentences)

• Give a general summary of the whole process.
• Mention how many stages there are and highlight the first and last stages.
• Avoid details or specific data here.

Example:

Overall, the process consists of 11 stages, starting from picking coffee beans and ending with packaging them for sale.

3. Body Paragraphs

Divide the process logically:

• Group 4–5 stages per paragraph.
• Use linking devices and sequence markers to show the flow.

Useful Sequence Words:

• First / Firstly
• Then / After that / Next
• Subsequently
• Meanwhile
• Finally / In the final stage

Language Tips

Use Passive Voice (especially for man-made processes)

• “The seeds are planted…”
• “The mixture is heated…”

Use Present Simple Tense

• The diagram shows…
• The process begins with…
• The water evaporates…

Use Process Verbs

• Begin, start, go through, proceed, continue, pass through, transform, filter, heat, cool, assemble, collect, store, etc.

Use Prepositions and Connectors

• Into, through, from, to, until, before, after, during
• In the next step, at the same time, as a result, this leads to

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Additional Tips

1.      Do not include personal opinions or assumptions.

2.      Avoid repetition of words; use synonyms where possible.

3.      Identify and describe every stage – no skipping!

4.      If it's a cycle, mention that it is circular and continuous.

5.      Check grammar and spelling in the last 2 minutes.

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Sample Overview Sentence Patterns

• The diagram illustrates the steps involved in…
• The process begins with… and ends with…
• Overall, the process consists of X stages, starting with… and culminating in…

 

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows the stages and equipment used in the cement-making process, and how cement is used to produce concrete for building purposes.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

 You should write 150 words.

The given diagram shows the process of cement production and then how this cement is used for concrete production.

As is observed from the graph, cement production involves some complex processes and concrete production is done using the water, cement and sand in a concrete mixer.

The first diagram depicts that, to produce cement first the limestone and clay are crushed and the produced powder from this is passed through a mixer. The power is then passed via a rotating heater where heat is supplied constantly and this process creates the raw cement materials which are passed on a grinder machine to finally produce the cement. The cement is then packed and marketed for sale.

The second diagram presents how the concrete is produced for housing and building work. In the first stage, 15% cement, 10% water, 25% sand and 50% small stones are mixed in a concrete mixer machine and the machine rotates fast to have the ingredients mixed together to create the concrete.

  (165 words)

Sample 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below show how coffee is produced and prepared for sale in supermarket and shops.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

You should write 150 words.

The picture illustrates the process of coffee production and preparation for selling in supermarkets and shops.

Overall, producing coffee involves 11 steps before it can be put on the market. The process starts with collecting the coffee beans and culminates with filling up jars with coffee.

To begin with, the coffee beans are harvested on the farm and dried in the sun to remove water. After that, the beans are roasted and cooled quickly. Then, they are converted into powder by being ground a grinding machine and mix with hot water to become a mixture, which is strained in the next step.

At the next stage, the strained mixture becomes frozen liquid at a low temperature. Subsequently, it passes through a grinder the second time, which is followed by being dried in a vacuum so that the water turns into moisture. Finally, the coffee powder is packed into jars and it is ready to be delivered to shops.

 (158 words)

Sample 3

The diagram below shows how the Australian Bureau of Meteorology collects up-to-the-minute information on the weather in order to produce reliable forecasts.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

You should write at least 150 words.

The illustration provides information about the process of collecting current and reliable weather forecasts and then broadcasting this to mass people which are conducted by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

As can be seen, this process needs some equipment to gather news forecasts and three main sources, such as satellite, radar, and the drifting buoy is used for collecting weather information.

To begin with, the satellite is used to capture images of Australian weather from the outside of the planet. Meanwhile, radar can give screen pictures while a drifting buoy which is placed on the sea reveals a synoptic chart of the Australian climate.

Subsequently, all of the information is analysed to know the real weather condition in Australia. After that, these data are put on the computer to prepare the report for the public broadcast. People will know the weather forecasts in Australia through various media, in particular, TV newsreader, radio, and recorded announcement.

(155 words)

Sample 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.

» Write at least 150 words.

The diagrams illustrate the life cycle process of the silkworm as well as various steps in making of silk cloth.

Overall, the life cycle of silkworm has four major stages which begin with eggs and end with cocoon. Similarly, there are four main steps in the production of silk cloth commencing with boiling into the water and ending with dying process.

Initially, the life cycle of silkworms starts with eggs which are laid by bees on the mulberry leaves. After this stage of the cycle, it becomes silkworm larva on mulberry leaves. It is then developed into silk thread within 4 to 6 weeks. After the last main stage of the life cycle, it is transformed into cocoons, which is necessary to make a silk cloth.

In the production of silk cloths, selected cocoons are boiled into the water. Unwinding is in the second process in which 300 to 900 mm threads are produced. Eventually, it is then twisted which is helpful for making waves. Finally, the wave is ready for dye process in any colour for the final production of silk clothes.

 (183 words)

 Sample 5

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. 

Write at least 150 words. 

The given diagrams explain the life cycle and respective sizes of a large fish species called the Salmon. 

As it can be clearly seen from the figure that the salmon develops in three major stages from a Fry to an adult Salmon. At each stage, the size of the fish and their habitats change.

Salmon eggs are laid in the upper river, which is slow-moving, among small stones and reeds. After 5 to 6 months, they are hatched into the first stage of Salmon fish ‘Fry’. It is around 3 to 8 cm in length. They migrate to the fast-moving lower river. In about four years, they develop into the next stage called smolt, which then migrate to the sea.

The smolt, which is 12 to 15 cm in length, matures into an adult Salmon of 70 to 76 cm in almost five years.  Then adult salmon travels back to the upper river to lay eggs.

(156 words)

 Sample 6

You should spend about 20 minutes to write this task. 

The picture below shows the recycling process of wasted glass bottles. 

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

The diagram illustrates how wasted bottles made from glass are recycled and delivered back to the store.

Overall, there are 3 main stages in the whole glass bottle recycling process, beginning with collecting wasted jars and finishing with the delivery of the products for sale.

In the first stage, wasted glass jars are deposited at collection points where they are loaded on trucks to transport to a glass treatment plant. In the second stage, several steps are taken in order to transform wasted glass to recycled products. Firstly, bottles are washed under high-pressure water to remove any impurities, following that they are classified into 3 categories based on the colour, namely clear, green and brown glass. They are then transferred to glass factories in which they are crushed into debris. In the next step, those pieces are melted in a glass-melting furnace at around 600 to 800 degree Celsius. After that, recycled liquid glass together with new liquid glass are moulded into new products.

In the last stage, the glass is used to bottle different products, and then sent back to the supermarket ready for sale.

(186 words)

 Sample 7

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows the process for recycling plastic bottles.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

 Write at least 150 words.

The diagram illustrates the plastic bottle recycling process.

Overall, the recycling of plastic bottles has nine steps starting from placing the bottles in the designated bins to the producing end-consumer products like bags, t-shirts and pencils - which would be recycled again once they are used.

As the illustration depicts, the first step of recycling plastic bottles begins with people placing them in specified recycle bins. Next, those bottles are collected and transported to recycling centres where workers sort out recyclable plastic bottles from others. Selected bottles are then compressed and converted into large blocks which are, afterwards, sent through crushing machines. The crushing process produces small pieces which are then washed before feeding them into a machine to make plastic pellets. 

In the next step, heat is applied to the pellets which ultimately form the raw materials for producing different plastic-made consumer goods. Next, the raw materials are refined and rolled which is used to manufacture end products like t-shirts, pens, plastic bottles, containers, and so on. To reiterate the recycling process, the end products are placed in the designated bins once they get torn out or used. It keeps the plastic recycling process keep going.

Sample 8

The diagram shows the process by which milk and related products are produced. 

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features. 

Write at least 150 words.

 

The provided illustration below demonstrates how milk is processed and produced for retail purposes.

Overall, the process begins with cows grazing and ends with milk and dairy produce being sold in shops. It is a 9 stage, linear, man-made process.

First of all, cows are allowed to graze on agricultural land so that they can produce milk. They are then milked twice a day by machinery and the milk is stored in a refrigerator to ensure that it stays fresh. A milk tanker then collects the milk and delivers the milk to a dairy where it can be processed further.

After this the dairy converts the milk into either pasteurized and packaged milk so that it is safe and convenient for customers to use, or it is turned into other dairy products that can then be sold. Finally, the products are sent to supermarkets and shops in order to be sold to the public.