# IELTS Writing Task 1 process diagram A process diagram shows the stages by which something is made or happens, either a man-made sequence with a start and an end or a natural cycle that repeats. The examiner looks for a clear overview of the main stages (how many, where the process starts and ends), every key stage reported in order, logical sequencing, and accurate use of the information shown. Most process reports are written in the present simple passive. ## Structure 1. **Introduction**: Paraphrase the prompt: what is produced or what happens, and from what. Openers: The diagram illustrates how ... is made from ... / The diagram shows the process by which ... / The diagram explains the stages involved in ... 2. **Overview**: Say how many stages there are, whether it is linear or a cycle, and where it begins and ends. Openers: Overall, there are ... stages, beginning with ... and ending with ... / Overall, this is a linear process that ... / The process can be divided into ... main phases: ... 3. **Body 1**: Describe the first half of the stages in order, with any figures the diagram gives. Openers: The process begins with ... / At the first stage, ... / To begin with, ... 4. **Body 2**: Describe the remaining stages through to the end product. Openers: In the second half of the process, ... / Once ..., ... / In the final stage, ... ## Key language ### Sequencing - **first / then / next / after that / finally**: Next, the strips are soaked in water. - **once / after + clause**: Once the paper is soft, it is mixed with sawdust. - **..., after which ...**: The bricks are dried, after which they are packed. - **at the ... stage / in the final stage**: In the final stage, the bricks are sold as fuel. ### The present simple passive - **is / are + past participle**: Waste paper is collected from homes and offices. - **is then + past participle**: The pulp is then pressed into moulds. - **so that ... can be + past participle**: The paper is sorted so that plastic can be removed. ### Stage nouns and verbs - **collection / sorting / shredding**: Sorting follows the collection of the paper. - **turn into / form / produce**: The mixture is used to produce a pulp. - **the end product / the finished product**: The finished product is sold as fuel. ## The task The diagram below shows how fuel bricks are made from waste paper. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. How fuel bricks are made from waste paper 1. Collection: Waste paper is collected from homes and offices. 2. Sorting: Plastic, staples and other materials are removed. 3. Shredding: The paper is cut into thin strips. 4. Soaking: The strips are soaked in water for 24 hours. 5. Mixing: The soft paper is mixed with sawdust to form a pulp. 6. Pressing: The pulp is pressed into moulds and the water is squeezed out. 7. Drying: The bricks are dried in the sun for 10 days. 8. Packing: Dry bricks are packed in bundles of 12 and sold as fuel. Chart by Testmigo. The data is invented for practice. ## Band 6 to 9 sample answers ### Band 6 The diagram shows the process of making fuel bricks from waste paper. Overall, there are eight steps in the process, it starts with collecting waste paper and it finishes with packing the bricks. First, waste paper is collected from homes and offices. Then, the paper is sorted and plastic, staples and other materials are taken out. After that the paper is cut into thin strips. Next, the strips are put in water and they soak for 24 hours. Then they are mixed with sawdust and this makes a pulp. After that, the pulp is put into moulds and pressed, so the water comes out. Then the bricks are dried in the sun for 10 days. Finally the bricks are packed in bundles of 12 and they are sold as fuel. In conclusion, there are many steps in this process. The waste paper is collected, sorted, cut, soaked and mixed, and then it is pressed into bricks. The bricks are dried, packed and sold, so waste paper becomes fuel bricks at the end. _This Band 6 report covers all eight stages in the right order with the correct figures, and its overview gives the number of stages and the start and end points, but it is joined to the next clause with a comma splice. Linking is mechanical and repetitive ("Then", "After that" several times), the passive is mixed with simpler active forms, and the conclusion just repeats the stages. For Band 7, group the stages into phases in the overview, vary the sequencing language and use the passive consistently._ ### Band 7 The diagram illustrates how waste paper is turned into fuel bricks in a process which consists of eight stages. Overall, the process begins with the collection and preparation of waste paper, continues with the production of a pulp, and ends with the bricks being dried, packed and sold as fuel. At the first stage, waste paper is collected from homes and offices. It is then sorted so that any plastic, staples and other unwanted materials are removed. After this, the paper is shredded into thin strips, which are soaked in water for 24 hours in order to make them soft. Once the paper is soft, it is combined with sawdust to make a pulp. This pulp is pressed into moulds, a step in which the water is squeezed out and the bricks are formed. The bricks are then left to dry in the sun for 10 days. Finally, after they are dry, the bricks are packed into bundles of 12 and sold as fuel, which is the end of the whole process. _This Band 7 report has a clear overview that divides the process into its main phases, and every stage is covered in a logical order with a good range of sequencing devices ("After this", "Once the paper is soft"). The passive is used accurately, though there is some redundancy ("Finally, after they are dry") and "make" is repeated. For Band 8, the writer would express the stages more concisely and with more precise vocabulary._ ### Band 8 The diagram shows the stages involved in manufacturing fuel bricks from waste paper. Overall, this is a linear process with eight stages, which can be divided into three phases: preparing the waste paper, turning it into pulp and shaping it into bricks, and finally drying and packing the finished product. The process begins with the collection of waste paper from households and offices. This paper is sorted to remove plastic, staples and any other materials, and it is then shredded into thin strips. Next, the strips are soaked in water for 24 hours, which softens them so that they can be mixed with sawdust to create a pulp. In the second half of the process, the pulp is pressed into moulds, where excess water is squeezed out and the mixture takes the shape of bricks. These are then dried in the sun for a period of 10 days. Once fully dry, the bricks are packed in bundles of 12, ready to be sold as fuel. This marks the end of the process. _This Band 8 report organises the stages skilfully, with an overview that groups them into three phases, and every stage and figure is reported accurately. Sequencing is varied and natural ("The process begins with", "Once fully dry"), and the passive and relative clauses are used flexibly and accurately, though a few phrases are slightly wordy ("for a period of 10 days"). To reach Band 9, every phrase would need to be economical: the closing sentence here ("This marks the end of the process.") only signals the end, whereas the Band 9 answer rounds off with a summary of the whole transformation._ ### Band 9 The diagram illustrates the eight-stage process by which waste paper is made into bricks that are sold as fuel. Overall, the process is linear and falls into three main phases: the waste paper is first gathered and prepared, it is then converted into a pulp and moulded, and finally the bricks are dried and packaged for sale. To begin with, waste paper is collected from homes and offices and sorted, so that plastic, staples and other unwanted materials can be removed. The remaining paper is shredded into thin strips, which are subsequently soaked in water for 24 hours. Once softened, the paper is blended with sawdust to produce a pulp. This pulp is then pressed into moulds, a stage in which the water is squeezed out and the material takes on the shape of a brick. The newly formed bricks are left to dry in the sun for 10 days, after which they are packed into bundles of 12 and sold as fuel, completing the process. In this way, a waste material is turned into a usable product in eight steps. _This Band 9 report fully meets the task: the overview identifies the type of process and its three phases, and every stage and figure in the diagram is reported accurately and in sequence, with nothing added. Cohesion is seamless ("Once softened", "after which"), vocabulary is precise and varied ("blended", "subsequently", "takes on the shape of"), and the passive is used with full flexibility and no errors, which is why it reaches the top band._ ## Common mistakes - **No overview, so the reader does not know how many stages there are or how the process starts and ends.** Write an "Overall, ..." paragraph: "Overall, there are eight stages, from the collection of waste paper to the packing of the finished bricks." - **Getting the length wrong: copying the diagram labels word for word, or stopping under 150 words.** Aim for about 170-190 words that describe every stage in your own words, joined with sequencing language. An answer under 150 words loses marks. - **Using the past tense for a process ("the paper was shredded").** A process diagram shows how something is generally done, so use the present simple, usually passive: "the paper is shredded". - **Adding reasons or opinions, such as "this is good for the environment" or "because sawdust makes the bricks burn better".** Report only the stages shown. If the diagram does not give a purpose, do not add one. - **Skipping stages or adding steps that are not in the diagram.** Tick off each numbered stage as you write and check that every figure (24 hours, 10 days, bundles of 12) appears exactly as shown.