IELTS Writing Task 1 – Process Diagram
Follow the arrows, count the stages, split the process into two phases, and turn every label into a passive sentence. Then try the practice task below.
Key points
The example question and chart from the video
The diagram below shows how bottled orange juice is produced. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
| Stage | Label on the diagram | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Picking | by hand |
| 2 | Transport | by truck to factory |
| 3 | Washing | in cold water |
| 4 | Sorting | damaged fruit removed → animal feed |
| 5 | Squeezing | by machine |
| 6 | Filtering | peel + seeds removed → animal feed |
| 7 | Heating | 90°C, 30 sec; kills bacteria |
| 8 | Bottling | cooled, then bottled |
| 9 | Delivery | refrigerated trucks to supermarkets |
The video shows this as a drawn diagram with arrows. The stages are listed here so you can follow the model answer.
Band 9 model answer from the video (174 words)
The diagram illustrates the steps involved in making orange juice and packaging it in bottles.
Overall, there are nine stages in the process, which starts with oranges being picked and ends with the bottled juice being delivered to supermarkets. The process can be divided into two main phases, preparing the fruit and making the juice, and the waste from both phases is used as animal feed.
At the first stage, oranges are picked by hand, and they are then taken to a factory by truck. There, the fruit is washed in cold water. After that, it is sorted, and any damaged oranges are removed and used as animal feed.
In the second phase, the remaining oranges are squeezed by a machine, and the juice is filtered to remove the peel and seeds, which are also turned into animal feed. Next, the juice is heated to 90°C for 30 seconds in order to kill bacteria. Once it has cooled down, it is poured into bottles. Finally, the bottles are delivered to supermarkets in refrigerated trucks.
Chapters in this video (15)
- 0:00Introduction
- 0:48Example Question
- 1:34How a Process Is Different
- 2:17How to Read the Diagram
- 3:23Turning Labels into Sentences
- 4:03Using the Passive Voice
- 4:41Answer Structure
- 5:18Writing the Introduction
- 5:55Writing the Overview
- 6:57Body Paragraph 1 (Preparing the Fruit)
- 7:45Body Paragraph 2 (Making the Juice)
- 8:51Sequencing Words
- 9:31Three Common Mistakes
- 10:05Final Answer
- 10:33Outro
Sequencing words and linking stages
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| At the first stage, … / The process begins when … | the first stage | At the first stage, oranges are picked by hand. |
| After that / Next / At the following stage | move to the next stage | After that, it is sorted, and any damaged oranges are removed. |
| Once … has … | after one stage is finished | Once it has cooled down, it is poured into bottles. |
| …, which … | add extra information without a new sentence | The peel and seeds are removed, which are also turned into animal feed. |
| in order to … | explain the purpose of a stage | The juice is heated to 90°C in order to kill bacteria. |
| Finally / At the last stage | the last stage | Finally, the bottles are delivered to supermarkets in refrigerated trucks. |
Practice task: How black tea is produced
The diagram below shows how black tea is produced and prepared for sale. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
| Stage | Label on the diagram | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Picking | young leaves, by hand |
| 2 | Withering | on racks, warm air, 12–18 hours |
| 3 | Rolling | leaves rolled and broken by machine |
| 4 | Oxidising | cool room, 1–2 hours; leaves turn brown |
| 5 | Drying | hot air, 120°C, 20 minutes |
| 6 | Sorting | sieved by size: large leaves → loose tea; small pieces → tea bags |
| 7 | Packing | into boxes |
| 8 | Shipping | by ship to other countries |
Count the stages, and find where the process splits into two products (stage 6).
Turn every label into a passive sentence: are picked, are rolled, are dried.
Split the process into two phases for your body paragraphs: stages 1–4 and stages 5–8.
Show model answer (try first!)
The diagram illustrates the stages involved in making black tea and preparing it for sale.
Overall, the process has eight stages, beginning with tea leaves being picked and ending with the finished product being shipped abroad. It can be divided into two main phases, processing the leaves and preparing the tea for sale, and it results in two different products: loose tea and tea bags.
At the first stage, young tea leaves are picked by hand. They are then spread on racks and dried with warm air for 12 to 18 hours. After that, the leaves are rolled and broken by a machine. Next, they are left in a cool room for one to two hours, during which time they turn brown.
In the second phase, the leaves are dried with hot air at 120°C for 20 minutes. Once they have dried, they are sieved and sorted by size. The large leaves are sold as loose tea, while the small pieces are used to fill tea bags. Both products are then packed into boxes, and finally, they are shipped to other countries.
182 words
This practice task and its model answer were written for the website. The real exam shows a drawn diagram; here the stages are listed in a table.
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