Master IELTS Visuals | Ebrahim Tahassoni

Section 3
Process Diagrams
This section addresses diagrams that show
natural and artificial procedures.

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Process:
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3

Cycle:

Stage Stage
1 3

Stage
2

…and the process/procedure/cycle starts over again.

Grammar:
A. Tenses:
Generally, the present simple tense is used to report actions which regularly happen in a process.

The larvae feed on mulberry leaves for up to 6 weeks.

Sometimes, the present perfect may also be used to signify the completion of a stage.

Once the electricity has been generated, it is transmitted to the station.

B. Passive vs. Active form

I. Natural events
For events which happen autonomously in nature, such as rain, formation of clouds or erosion of
mountains, generally use the active form unless you need to shift focus from the subject to the
object of the stage.

The larvae begin forming cocoons around themselves using silk threads.

Numerous eggs are laid by a moth and hatch after 10 days.

II. Artificial events

In artificial stages, the human subjects are usually ignored so use the passive to focus on what is
being done. If the subject has also been mentioned in the diagram, add it as an "agent".

Energy is sent to the substations by means of transmission lines.

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Describing Purpose:
When you need to report the means or tool used to perform a stage, avoid using "by":

• For tools: It is done using/through the use of/by means of ...

The mixture is cut into individual bricks using a wire cutter.

• For ways and methods: It is done through/via/by means of ...

The oil is transferred to the refinery through a pipeline.

Linking
The First Stage
First,
Firstly,
First off,
First of all,
In the first stage,
At/In the beginning,
The first stage is when…
The process begins/starts/commences when…
The process begins with + <n./n.p.>

Middle Stages:
Next,
Then
After this/that,
Following this/that,
Afterwards,
In the following stage,
In the stage after/following this,
In the stage that follows,
Over the course of/During the next/following/second/third stage,
This is followed by + <n./n.p.>
When/After/Once <stage A>, <stage B>
<stage A>. When/Once this stage is complete, <stage B>
<stage A> before <stage B as n./n.p. or clause>
Before <stage B>, <stage A>
<stage A> after/following which <stage B>
<stage A> which is followed by <stage B as n./n.p.>

The Last Stage:

Finally,
Ultimately,
Eventually,
The last/final stage is when …
The process ends when …
The process ends with + <n./n.p.>
<stage A> before finally <stage B as n./n.p.>

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 Master IELTS Visuals | Ebrahim Tahassoni

Writing Task 1 (From Cambridge IELTS Book 8, test 3)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagrams below show 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.
Write at least 150 words.

Sample band 9 response by E. Tahassoni:

The diagrams show how cement and concrete are produced. Overall, there are five stages in
the production of cement, while the procedure for producing concrete from cement and a
few other simple ingredients involves a single stage.

Cement production begins when the initial raw materials, namely limestone and clay, are
crushed using two rotating drums to make a fine powder which is then mixed in a cylindrical
mixer. The next stage involves a tube-like rotating heater with a blowtorch mounted at its
bottom opening. The mixed powder is fed from the top and simultaneously heated and
blended, after which it is transferred to a grinder using a conveyor belt. There, it is milled to yield
the final cement product which is eventually packed in bags.

This cement is used as raw material in the production of concrete in a second process. An initial
mixture comprising 15% cement, 10% water, one-quarter sand and half gravel is fed into a
rotating concrete mixer, where the ingredients are stirred until the concrete mix is ready for
construction purposes.

(174 words)

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 Master IELTS Visuals | Ebrahim Tahassoni

Writing Task 1 (From Official IELTS Practice Materials 1)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows the process of using water to produce electricity.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Sample band 9 response by E. Tahassoni:

The diagram shows the process through which water is used to produce electrical power.
Overall, hydroelectric power is generated using water from the sea through a relatively
sophisticated procedure which comprises over ten stages.
The process begins when seawater is heated by the sun and evaporates to form small clouds in
the sky. Next, they merge into a storm cloud, which then rains over the mountain. This rainwater
is gathered in the reservoir behind a dam. The following steps involve a pipe which connects
the reservoir to a turbine as well as a pump, and is controlled using a valve. Once this valve is
opened, water flows into the turbine and rotates it to produce electrical current, following
which it is pumped back into the reservoir. After this, the electricity produced by the turbine is
transferred to the transformer station through high voltage cables. The last stage is when the
electrical power is delivered to domestic and industrial consumers, as well as educational and
medical facilities.
(169 words)

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 Master IELTS Visuals | Ebrahim Tahassoni

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows the life cycle of the honey bee.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Sample band 9 response by E. Tahassoni:

The chart illustrates the stages in the life of honey bees. Overall, this life cycle is comprised of six
stages, from eggs to fully mature bees, which take approximately five weeks to complete.
The first stage is when the female bee lays up to 2 oval eggs once every 72 hours. These eggs
hatch between nine and ten days later, and immature bees, called nymphs, emerge, lacking
the typical bee stripes.
Over the next 3 weeks, the nymphs experience three moulting stages, that is, they shed their
skins to allow further growth to occur: The first moulting happening 5 days after the eggs hatch,
a week after which the second one takes place. Nine days later, the nymphs moult for a third
time, becoming young adult honey bees which are characterised by their striped backs. These
take four more days to mature into larger adult bees whose backs are marked with bolder and
darker stripes, and the cycle starts over again.
(161 words)

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 Master IELTS Visuals | Ebrahim Tahassoni

Writing Task 1 (From IELTS Scores Explained DVD)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows the process by which bricks are manufactured for the building
industry.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Brick manufacturing

Sample answer by A. Tootoonchi (TA: 9 | CC: 8 | LR: 7 | GRA: 8 | Overall: 8)

The picture illustrates how bricks are produced.
The process begins when clay is dug out through the use of a digger, which is followed by clay
passing through a metal grid. Fine clay is then carried by a roller after which sand and water
are added to it. In the next stage, either this mixture is pressed through a frame and cut into
bricks using a wire cutter, or it is put into moulds and formed into bricks. Following that, the
bricks are dried in a drying oven for one to two days. The next three stages involve two kilns
connected to a cooling chamber. The dried bricks are first heated from 200 to 980 degrees
centigrade, before being exposed to high temperature (870 to 1300 degrees). They are then
cooled within 48 to 72 hours. Eventually, they are packed and delivered to customers by trucks.
Overall, the procedure of producing bricks is comprised of ten stages which are rather simple.
(161 words)

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 Master IELTS Visuals | Ebrahim Tahassoni

Writing Task 1 (From IELTS Scores Explained DVD)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows the process by which bricks are manufactured for the building
industry.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Brick manufacturing

Sample band 9 response by E. Tahassoni:

The picture illustrates the procedure for producing construction bricks from clay, sand and
water through ten rather simple stages.
It commences when raw clay is dug using a digger machine following which it is sifted through
a metal grid into finer fragments which then fall onto a conveyor belt. In the next stage, water
and sand are added and the resulting mixture is either pushed through a frame and cut into
simple bricks, or is moulded into specially-formed bricks.
These are then placed in a special oven for one or two days in order to minimise their moisture
content. The following three stages involve the use of a couple of kilns and a cooling chamber:
bricks are first heated moderately in the first kiln to reach a temperature of between 200 and
980 degrees centigrade before being subjected to higher temperatures (870 to 1300 degrees)
in the second one. Next, they are allowed to cool down for two to three days in the cooling
chamber. The process ends with the bricks being packed on pallets and delivered to end users
on trucks.
(182 words)

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 Master IELTS Visuals | Ebrahim Tahassoni

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram gives information about the process for making pulp and paper.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Sample band 8.5 response by E. Tahassoni:

The diagram shows the process through which wood is used to manufacture pulp and paper
for printing and box production purposes. Overall, it is rather sophisticated and is comprised of
more than ten stages.
The process begins when trees are cut down to produce logs, after which they are chipped
and combined with purchased wood chips in a digester. The resulting pulp is then washed and
screened to make clean pulp.
This pulp can then be used to produce rough paper for making boxes. After being formed in a
former device, it is dried and formed into a reel. Next, it is cut into paper bales which are finally
packed.
Alternatively, the clean pulp may be used to make refined paper for printing purposes. Once it
is cleaned in pulp cleaners, it is dried and pressed, first in pulp presses and then in paper
presses. Ultimately, it goes through another drying stage in paper dryers before being rolled.
(159 words)

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 Master IELTS Visuals | Ebrahim Tahassoni

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram gives information about the process for making pulp and paper.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Sample band 8 response by E. Tahassoni:

The diagram shows the process through which wood is used to manufacture pulp and paper
for printing and box production purposes. Overall, it is rather sophisticated and is comprised of
more than ten stages.
The process begins when trees are cut down to produce logs, after which they are chipped
and combined with purchased wood chips in a digester. The resulting pulp is then washed and
screened to make clean pulp.
What happens next depends on the type of paper that needs to be produced: if it is rough
paper for packaging purposes, the pulp is formed in a former device before it is dried and
formed into a reel. Next, it is cut into paper bales, which are finally packed.
Alternatively, if the pulp is used to produce refined paper for printing purposes, it is cleaned
further in pulp cleaners, following which it is dried and pressed, first in pulp presses and then in
paper presses. Ultimately, it goes through another drying stage in paper dryers before being
rolled.
(170 words)

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 Master IELTS Visuals | Ebrahim Tahassoni

Writing Task 1 (From Cambridge IELTS Book 12, test 8)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Sample band 9 response by E. Tahassoni:

The diagram shows that there are five main stages in the production of electricity through the
use of geothermal energy.
The process begins with cold water being pumped from the surface of the earth down into a
4.5 kilometer-deep injection well. From there, it is transferred to the geothermal zone, a
subterranean region composed of hot rocks, before reaching the production well, which is a
vertical pipe similar to the injection well but a bit wider.
In the stage that follows, the hot water is pumped up through the production well into a
condenser on the surface where it is converted into steam, following which it is used to power a
turbine and rotate it. This turbine is connected to an electricity generator which, when rotated
by the turbine, produces electricity. The process ends when the electricity generated by the
generator is transferred to the power grid for consumption by end users.
(152 words)

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