Similarities and differences

Graph, chart, table Describe a process

1. Similarities:
-The same format: Introduction, Overview and body
-Paraphrases the words/ change form of words, change the structures.

2. Differences
- Describe and compare the data - Describe a process/processes
and trend
- Using different tenses in active - Use present simple in passive.
or passive depends the time of
chart. - Use sequencing words
- Select and describe only main - Describe all steps/stages
features.
Steps to write Task 1
Line graph/ Bar chart/ Pie chart/Table

1. Identify the type of task:

Line graph/ Bar chart/ Pie chart/Table (trend or no trend, type of data
(number/amount/percentage)
2. Underline the key words and paraphrase (1-2 minutes).
3. Make a plan (2 minutes): trend, key features, paragraphs
4. Profread (1-2 minutes): Grammar, spelling, count words
Main types of data
Number Amount Percentage
(Countable nouns) (Uncountable nouns)
The number of people The amount of water The percentage of
The quantity of people The quantity of water The proportion of
The figure of people The figure of water The rate of
The figure of
E.g. 3 hundred books E.g. 2 tons of rice E.g. 30% of the internet
5 thousand 10 liters of milk users
computers 75% of the population
Writing Task 1: Describe a process
Outline: 4 paragraphs

• P1: Introduction
• P2: Overview
• P3&4: Body 1+2
NOTES FOR WRITING A PROCESS
1. Don't skip any steps.
2. Use the present simple.
3. Use the passive voice for man-made process but active voice for
natural process ( water flows)
4. Base on the suggestions at the beginning of the question, base on
the given words (names of the steps to write complete sentences)
5. Divide the steps clearly (How many steps/stages).
6. Use time markers: First, Secondly,… Finally,
7. Diversify the structures used in the process, do not repeat the
structure to describe many steps.
4 structures to diversify the structures used in
the process
1. V-ed (passive)
2. Being + V-ed
3. V-ing
4. V- er
• E.g. crush: crushed, being crushed, crushing, crusher
1. Introduction
Introduction: 1 sentence paraphrases the question.
• Structures:
1. The production of cement
2. The process of producing/making cement
3. How cement is produced/made
4. How to produce/make cement.
E.g. question:

• The diagrams illustrate the process of producing cement, and how to use
cement to make concrete for construction aims/intention.
2. Overview:
2 sentences: list 2 the most prominent points
a. 1 picture with 1 process:
- Sentence 1: How many main stages? Contain = consist of = include
• Structures:
There are three stages/ steps in the production of …/ in the process of producing …
The production of… / The process of producing … includes four main stages/steps.
- Sentence 2: mention about the first stage and the final stage of the process.
• E.g. It is clear that the production of laptops includes six main stages. The first step
of the process is …, and the final stage is …
b. 2 pictures with 2 processes:
- Sentence 1: How many main stages in picture 1?
- Sentence 2: How many main stages in picture 2?
- E.g. It is clear from the diagrams that the process of producing cement includes five
main stages. Meanwhile, only two steps are required to produce concrete
P3&4: Body 1+2
a. 1 picture with 1 process:
Body 1: stages 1-3/ 1-4
Body 2: stages 4&5/ 5-8
Only 1 paragraph
b. 2 pictures with 2 processes:
Body 1: picture 1
Body 2: picture 2
Practice writing 2 paragraphs of body in two groups.
Sample answer
• It is noticeable that the process of producing bananas includes seven main
steps. The first stage of the production is beginning with growing the
bananas, the final step is delivering the bananas to supermarkets and then
they are bought by the consumers.
• It shows several stages of production from the growing and picking stages
to when the lorries deliver the bananas to supermarket and when
customers buy them while they are shopping. There are seven main stages
between the bananas planted and bought.
• There are seven main stages, beginning with growing stage and ending
with buying stage.
• Overall, it can be seen there are 7 main stages of the process, starting with
planting bananas and ending with customers buying the products.
• It is clear that there are seven main stages in the process of growing
bananas. The first step is planting bananas, and the final step is bananas
which are ready for customers to buy.
The diagram illustrates how bananas are grown before
being released to the supermarket for further consumption.
It is clear that there are seven different stages before
banana consumption, starting from the stage of cultivation
and ending with the purchase procedure of the customer.
First, bananas are grown from 9 months to 1 year, in which
the weather conditions must be good for the growth of
banana plants. There must be much rain, and the
temperature fluctuates between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius.
The next step is for the worker will cut the bananas while
the bananas are still green. After the bananas ripen in
chronological order, the workers will choose the delicious
bananas to sell to the market. The bad ones will be
discarded. Ships are required to transport goods from one
country to another because of the distance between
countries. When transported on board, this fruit is stored at
a temperature of 13.3 degrees Celsius in the refrigerator to
ensure quality. After being imported, they are kept in
unique rooms for preservation. When the bananas turn
yellow, they will be transported on trucks to supermarkets,
where customers will buy them to eat or give as gifts.
Practice Writing in 20 minutes
Correct
Correct: Task 1: describe the process of
growing bananas for selling in supermarkets
The diagram illustrates how bananas are grown before
being released to the supermarket for further consumption.
It is clear that there are seven different stages before
banana consumption, starting from the stage of cultivation
and ending with the purchase procedure of the customer.
First, bananas are grown from 9 months to 1 year, in which
the weather conditions must be good for the growth of
banana plants. There must be much rain, and the
temperature fluctuates between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius.
The next step is for the worker will cut the bananas while
the bananas are still green. After the bananas ripen in
chronological order, the workers will choose the delicious
bananas to sell to the market. The bad ones will be
discarded. Ships are required to transport goods from one
country to another because of the distance between
countries. When transported on board, this fruit is stored at
a temperature of 13.3 degrees Celsius in the refrigerator to
ensure quality. After being imported, they are kept in
unique rooms for preservation. When the bananas turn
yellow, they will be transported on trucks to supermarkets,
where customers will buy them to eat or give as gifts.