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Process Chart Task 1

In this tutorial, we look at process charts in IELTS task 1,  how to answer them correctly and useful linking words for the exam.

Process writing can seem daunting to many candidates, but as with many question types, using a model to organise and practice your answers will help you to do a good job on the IELTS test.

Table of Contents

What exactly is a process chart?

Here’s a good example of a process chart question.

IELTS Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

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 making comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.


The Brick Manufacturing Process

Here’s an example answer.

The underlined phrases are a good model to use for similar questions.

The diagram illustrates the way in which bricks are made for the building industry. Overall, there are seven stages in this linear process, beginning with the digging up of clay and ending with the delivery of the completed bricks.

Initially, the clay used to make the bricks is dug up from the ground by a large digger. This clay is then placed onto a metal grid, which is used to break up the clay into smaller pieces. A roller assists in this process. 

Following this, sand and water are added to the clay, and this mixture is turned into bricks by either placing it into a mould or using a wire cutter.

The next two stages involve an oven and kilns (a type of oven). The bricks are placed in an oven to dry for 24 – 48 hours. In the subsequent stage, the bricks go through a heating and cooling process. They are heated in a kiln at a moderate and then a high temperature (ranging from 200c to 1300c), followed by a cooling process in a chamber for 2 – 3 days. Both these stages take a long period of time. Finally, the bricks are packed and delivered to their destinations.

 

Top tips to remember for answering IELTS Task 1 Process Chart Questions

  1. You should say whether the process is cyclical (repeated) or linear (in a line, from start to finish). Remember, a linear process starts and finishes at different places. It will often involve manufacturing or creating something, starting with the raw materials going in at one end and the finished product coming out at the other. An example of this can be seen in this diagram from a past IELTS process diagram question about manufacturing bricks.
  2. The easiest way to do an overview is to say how many stages there are in total and mention the first and last stages.
  3. Try to make links between stages in order to ‘compare’ effectively – do two or more stages involve heat, cold, heavy machinery, adding materials or take a long time?
  4. The examiners will be expecting you to use the passive as much as possible in your answer, so be sure to write ‘the bricks are heated’ rather than ‘they have to heat the bricks’ which sounds too informal.
  5. Paraphrase where you can, but if you don’t know a synonym then use referencing (which, it. that, this).
  6. If you can, break the process into stages. In the brick-making graphic, for example, there are three stages:
      • Creating the bricks from clay
      • Manufacturing the finished product by drying and firing
      • Packaging and delivery

 

Useful Linking Words for Process Chart Questions

Below are useful connecting words to answer process chart questions in IELTS Task 1.

Adverbs

  • first/firstly/first of all, to start with, …or  The first step involves
  • secondly, thirdly
  • then/next/after that/following that/following on from this, …
  • subsequently/in the subsequent stage/ subsequent to that, finally..

Here’s an example in a sentence:

To begin with, the bricks are processed. The next step is when they are packed. Finally, they are delivered.

Prepositions

  • At the beginning of…/ At the end of…

 

Useful conjunctions to make more complex answers for Process Chart Questions

– when/once/as soon as/immediately/whereas….

Eg: Once obtained, raw materials and manufactured components are stored for later assembly

The manufacturing stages involve the storage, assembly, inspection, and packing to the sales methods whereas the research stages include market & product research, design and advertisement.

– before + clause or gerund

Eg: Most consumer goods go through a series of stages before they emerge as finished products ready for sale.

– after + clause or gerund

Eg: After the production planning is complete the assembly, inspection, testing and packaging stages are done sequentially.

– where/from where/after which

Eg: Assembly first depends upon the production planning stage, where it is decided how and in what quantities the stored materials will be processed to create sufficient quantities of finished bricks.

IELTS Task 1 Process Chart Examples

Below we share some IELTS Task 1 process chart examples to help you practice for the exam.

Process Chart Example 1: Manufacturing of Leather Goods

Look at the process chart below for the manufacturing of leather goods. Can you write a similar answer using the model essay above? Remember to try to make links (find similarities) between stages if possible and try to use appropriate linking words.

This diagram details the process of making leather products. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

This sample IELTS process diagram essay is just over the minimum word limit so you can see that you don’t have space to include very much detail at all. That’s why selecting just a couple of main features to write about is essential.

Process Chart Example 2: The Life Cycle of a Frog

academic task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The diagram illustrates the Life Cycle process of frogs in a pond. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Process Chart Example 3: Milk Production

process chart milk production

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The diagram below shows how milk is produced. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Now use what you’ve learnt in this lesson to practice answering other IELTS process diagram questions. Start slowly at first and keep practising until you can plan and write a complete essay in around 20 minutes.

To improve even faster you can get feedback from an ex-IELTS examiner, our service offers very detailed IELTS essay feedback in video form, with a turnaround of just 24 hours. However, if you are on a tight budget and need faster feedback then try our IELTS writing evaluation software, online and free!

VIDEO: Process Diagram Language and Paragraphs