Task 1 Academic — Process Diagram
Passive voice · sequencing connectors · present simple
Topic & Why It Matters
A process diagram asks you to explain how something is made, recycled, grown, treated, or delivered. The challenge is not finding a trend; it is turning labelled arrows into a clean sequence that the examiner can follow without looking back at the diagram.
Candidates usually lose marks by skipping the overview, mixing tenses, or writing a list of steps with no grouping. A strong process answer uses present simple passive grammar, groups stages into logical phases, and describes only what the diagram shows.
Knowledge Points
Structure Template
Four paragraphs, about 150-175 words total. Group the stages before writing.
| Paragraph | Target | What to Write |
|---|---|---|
| Paragraph 1 — Introduction | 20–30 words | Paraphrase the prompt. Name the process and the input/output if they are clear. |
| Paragraph 2 — Overview | 35–45 words | State the process shape (linear/cyclical), the first and final stages, and the major transformation. Avoid tiny step details here. |
| Paragraph 3 — Body A | 45–60 words | Describe the early stages in order. Use passive voice and sequencing language, but avoid starting every sentence with 'then'. |
| Paragraph 4 — Body B | 45–60 words | Describe the later stages and the final product. End when the diagram ends; do not add future uses unless shown. |
Vocabulary & Grammar Toolkit
| Expression | Usage Note |
|---|---|
| at the first stage | A clear opening phrase for the first body paragraph |
| initially / first / to begin with | Alternatives for the beginning of a process |
| subsequently / afterwards | Formal alternatives to 'then'; use sparingly |
| once [step] has been completed | Complex sequencing: 'Once the paper has been sorted...' |
| after this / following this | Simple, safe sequencing phrases |
| before being [past participle] | Compact passive sequence: 'before being transported' |
| is collected / is transported | Passive verbs for movement stages |
| is sorted / is separated | Passive verbs for selection and removal |
| is shredded / is crushed / is ground | Passive verbs for breaking material down |
| is mixed with | Use when an input combines with water, chemicals, or another material |
| is heated / is cooled | Use only if temperature change is shown |
| is filtered / is screened | Use when impurities are removed through a barrier or screen |
| is pressed / is dried | Useful for manufacturing processes involving moisture |
| is converted into | Shows transformation from one state/product to another |
| is passed through | Use for material moving through machines, tanks, rollers, or pipes |
| raw materials | The starting inputs, such as waste paper or clay |
| finished product | The output at the end of a man-made process |
| impurities / contaminants | Unwanted materials removed during cleaning |
| the remaining material | Cohesive reference that avoids repeating the noun |
| a linear process | A process with one clear start and end point |
| a cyclical process | A process that returns to an earlier stage and repeats |
| the final stage involves... | Useful sentence frame for the last step |
| where it is... | Relative clause for location or stage: 'a tank, where it is cleaned' |
Common Pitfalls
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| Writing no overview | Even without numbers, Task 1 still requires an overview. State the process type, beginning, end, and major transformation. |
| Using past tense for a general process | Most process diagrams need present simple: 'The paper is sorted', not 'The paper was sorted'. |
| Overusing 'then' | Use a mix of sequencing devices: 'At the first stage', 'After this', 'Once the pulp has been cleaned', and passive clauses with 'before being'. |
| Inventing technical details | Do not add exact temperatures, durations, brand names, or machinery unless the diagram shows them. |
| Explaining why the process happens | IELTS Task 1 asks what happens, not why. Replace 'This is done to save trees' with a factual stage description. |
Practice Prompt
Set a 20-minute timer. Write your response before reading the model answer.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagram below shows how recycled paper is produced from used paper collected from households and offices.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Model AnswerBand 7.5+ · 180 words
The diagram illustrates the stages involved in producing recycled paper from used paper collected from households and offices.
Overall, the process is linear and consists of eight main stages, beginning with the collection and sorting of waste paper and ending with the paper being dried, rolled and prepared for reuse. The key transformation occurs when the paper is converted into pulp and cleaned before being pressed into sheets.
At the first stage, used paper is collected from homes and workplaces before being transported to a recycling plant. It is then sorted manually or mechanically, and unsuitable materials, such as plastic, staples and heavily contaminated paper, are removed. The remaining paper is shredded and mixed with water and chemicals in a pulper.
Next, the mixture is screened to take out small impurities and then cleaned in a de-inking tank, where ink and glue are separated from the fibres. After this, the pulp is spread onto a moving mesh belt, pressed to remove excess water and dried with heated rollers. Finally, the finished paper is wound into rolls and prepared for reuse.
Annotated Commentary
Each paragraph is quoted, then broken down by examiner criteria. Notice how the answer uses passive grammar and sequencing without turning into a bare list.
Self-Check
Answer these from memory before looking back. If you cannot answer all, re-read the relevant section.
- What tense and voice do most undated process diagrams require?
- What three things should a process overview normally identify?
- Rewrite this sentence in passive voice: 'Workers sort the used paper and remove plastic.'