DESCRIBE
A PROCESS / A CYCLE
IELTS WRITING TASK 1
1. What is a process?
A process is either:
+ a series of changes that happen naturally, or
+ a series of actions that people take in order to achieve a result.
In Process Description, you will be asked to depict either a natural
phenomenon or a man-made one.
2. What does a process description include?
Based on the description, there can be 3 possible and common types of
question you can meet in the IELTS test.
Manufacturing process Natural process Object description
3. What tense to use?
(Most common) If there is no signal of time, you should
use:_____________________
(Less common) If there is a signal of time, you should
use:_______________________
The diagrams below show how glass containers, such as bottles, are
produced and recycle. =>___________________________
4. What voice to use?
According to syntax, how many voices are there in a language?____
They include:
(1) I eat an apple.=>_____________________
(2) An apple is eaten.=>____________________
In a process:
Prioritize _________________ if there is a manufacturing process.
Prioritize _________________ if there is a natural process.
5. How should you write?
Step 1: Paraphrase the question. Remember to REWORD, don’t
DUPLICATE. Mustn’t bring this sentence into your piece of writing:
“Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main
features and make comparison when relevant”
Try this one: The diagrams below show how glass containers, such as
bottles, are produced and recycled.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. How should you write?
Step 2: Write an overview (1-2 sentences):
Recall your knowledge from the very first questions and complete:
To write an overview for a process, you need to indicate:
(1)_______________________________________________________
(2)_______________________________________________________
There are ....main stages (steps) in the process/in the process of producing...,beginning with...and ending with...
The …………………….involves ………………….main steps/ stages beginning with………………and finishing
with…………………..
5. How should you write?
Step 2: Write an overview (1-2 sentences):
If there are two distinct processes in the question, write 1 sentence for
each process.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. How should you write?
Step 2: If you have to describe something inanimate, first of all, don’t
panic despite your misfortune. Then, indicate:
- There are differences and,
- The most prevalent differences.
5. How should you write?
Step 3: Write the body
An exhaustive answer must show 2 bodies.
- If the question presents only 1 process, you have to group information
by dividing the whole process into ONLY 2 main stages properly. The
first stage is depicted in body 1, the second stage is mentioned in body
2.
Then, you write body 1 first, then body 2.
NO reversed situation.
- If the question presents 2 different processes, describe each process
separately.
5. How should you write?
6. Notes
- Mention all stages, but with synonyms or similar expressions.
- Paraphrase names of steps in the process as much as possible.
- Include 4 visually recognizable paragraphs.
- Don’t compare anything, a process is not the same as a general chart.
- Don’t show you attitude.
7. Common structures
Passive voice:
At the beginning of the process, clay is dug from the ground. (Better)
At the beginning of the process, people dig clay from the ground.
(Should avoid)
Being done:
After being washed, the tomatoes are moved to the grilling stage.
(Better)
After the tomatoes are washed, they are moved to the grilling stage.
(Should avoid)
7. Common vocabulary
First step Next steps Last step
To begin with, At the following stage, Finally,
First of all, This is followed by The last/ final process / step is
In the first step, Following that / followed by / At that…
The first step in the process is the following stage The process finishes with ...
The first stage in the process is The second stage is that… The process concludes with ...
At the first stage of .... In the next/ subsequent step, Eventually,
…… followed by….. Ultimately,
After that, / After
Subsequently,
Next,
The process continue with...
The next step is
Then
7. Common vocabulary
To describe steps happening simultaneously.
• While
While the mixture of sand and soda is being heated, some other
chemicals are added to create various colors.
• At the same time, = Simultaneously,
The mixture of sand and soda is heated. At the same time, some other
chemicals are added to create various colors.
THE END
