# Book publishing process diagram: IELTS Writing Task 1 samples

Writing Task 1 - Academic - Work

The diagram below shows the stages involved in publishing a book.

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

Write at least 150 words.

![Process diagram of nine numbered stages in three phases. Phase 1, writing and acceptance: 1 Writing, the author completes a full manuscript; 2 Submission, it is sent to a publisher, often through an agent; 3 Editorial review, an editor decides whether to accept it. A dashed arrow shows that if it is rejected, the author revises and submits again; if it is accepted, a contract is signed. Phase 2, editing and design: 4 Structural editing, the author rewrites parts after feedback; 5 Copy-editing, spelling, grammar and facts are corrected; 6 Design and layout, the cover is designed and pages are typeset. Phase 3, production and release: 7 Printing and binding, copies are printed, bound and packed; 8 Distribution, books are sent to shops and online sellers; 9 Launch and sales, the book is promoted and goes on sale.](https://testmigo.com/images/ielts-practice/stages-of-publishing-a-book-diagram.svg)

The stages of publishing a book, from manuscript to sale. Diagram drawn by Testmigo for practice.

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 6 sample

The diagram shows the process of publishing a book. There are nine stages and three phases.

First, the author writes the manuscript and then he send it to a publisher, sometimes through an agent. After that, an editor reviews the manuscript and decides whether to accept it or not. If the manuscript is rejected, the author has to revise it and send again. If it is accepted, they sign a contract.

In the second phase, the author rewrites some parts of the book after getting feedback, this is called structural editing. Then copy-editing is done, which means the spelling, grammar and facts are corrected. After that, the cover is designed and the pages are typeset.

In the final phase, the copies of the book are printed, bound and packed. Then the books are sent to shops and online sellers. Finally, the book is promoted and it goes on sale.

Overall, publishing a book is a long process with many stages, from writing the book to selling it in the shops.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 6 report describes every stage in the correct order and mentions the rejection loop, so the main features are covered. However, the overview ("publishing a book is a long process with many stages") comes only at the end and says little about how the process is organized. Sequencing is repetitive ("After that", "Then"), and errors such as "he send it" and "send again" are noticeable. For Band 7, the writer would put a clear overview near the start and highlight key features, such as the editor's decision as the turning point.

## Band 7 sample

The diagram illustrates the nine stages involved in publishing a book, which are grouped into three phases: writing and acceptance, editing and design, and production and release.

Overall, the process begins with an author writing a manuscript and ends with the finished book going on sale. One notable feature is that the manuscript may be rejected at an early stage, in which case the author must revise it and submit it again.

In the first phase, the author completes a full manuscript, which is then sent to a publisher, often via a literary agent. An editor reviews it and decides whether to accept it. If it is accepted, a contract is signed; if not, the writer returns to the first stage.

The second phase focuses on improving the text and preparing its appearance. The author rewrites parts of the book in response to feedback, after which copy-editors correct the spelling, grammar and facts. The cover is then designed and the pages are typeset.

Finally, copies are printed, bound and packed before being distributed to shops and online retailers. The process concludes with the book being promoted and released for sale.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 report has a clear overview that identifies the start and end of the process and picks out the rejection loop as "One notable feature". Each body paragraph covers one phase, and passive forms such as "a contract is signed" are used accurately. Some sentences still restate the diagram labels closely, for example "The cover is then designed and the pages are typeset". A Band 8 report would group stages more selectively, explain how the focus of the work changes from phase to phase, and use more economical language.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-1/stages-of-publishing-a-book-diagram).

## Common questions

### How many words should I write?

At least 150 words for Task 1 and 250 for Task 2. Writing a little more is fine; an answer under the minimum loses marks.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Memorised material is marked down and you will not get this exact question. Use the samples to see what each band does with the same task.