Apart from statistical charts like line graphs and bar diagrams, it is also possible that you are asked to describe diagrams of machines and/or processes in IELTS Writing Task 1.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Process Diagram questions expect candidates to explain how a device or activity works by deciphering the illustration.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Process Diagram Sample questions
WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
| The diagram below shows how a coal-powered plant produces electricity. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. |
Write at least 150 words.
Coal-powered plant
WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
| The diagram below shows how electricity is generated in a wind power plant. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. |
Write at least 150 words.
Wind turbine
WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
| The diagram below shows how a hydroelectricity dam works. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. |
Write at least 150 words.
WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
| The diagram below shows the process of greenhouse effect on the earth. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. |
Write at least 150 words.
How earth’s atmosphere creates the greenhouse effect
Analysis of IELTS Writing Task 1 Process Diagrams
To understand the operation shown in IELTS Writing Task 1 Process Diagrams, begin by figuring out the following things:
- the main sections of the diagram
- the order of stages or the relationships between different sections
- symbolic and lexical cues in the diagram
Let’s try this with one of the IELTS Writing Task 1 Process Diagram questions from before.
WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
| The diagram below shows how a coal-powered plant produces electricity. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. |
Write at least 150 words.
Coal-powered plant
| the main sections of the diagram |
|---|
| There are four main sections in this diagram – coal storage, river, power plant main building, and transmission. These can further be divided into smaller sections. |
| the order of stages or the relationships between different sections |
|---|
| The process begins from the coal storage site. Coal moves towards the furnace. At the same time, river water enters the boiler. The steam flows into the turbine. The resultant electricity is transmitted to distribution grid. |
| symbolic and lexical cues in the diagram |
|---|
| The arrows and the labelling of different parts the diagram assist us in understanding the process. Without these hints, a layman may never be able to grasp the action displayed in the picture. |
Writing Introductions
The Introduction paragraph for IELTS Writing Task 1 Process Diagrams is no different from other types of questions in IELTS Writing Task 1.
Click here » to view the lesson on writing an Introduction.
Overview for IELTS Writing Task 1 Process Diagrams
Akin to other types of graphics we get in IELTS Writing Task 1, there needs to be an overview (summary) paragraph for process diagrams. This paragraph should highlight the main feature of the diagram and the core mechanism of the action.
- Explain the entire process in a short consolidated sentence
- Mention the names of some of the major parts of the process without detailing the functions
Let’s look at an example for one of the IELTS Writing Task 1 Process Diagram questions from above.
WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
| The diagram below shows how electricity is generated in a wind power plant. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. |
Write at least 150 words.
Wind turbine
| Overview: |
|---|
| Overall, the generator in a wind mill converts the energy of rotating blades and supplies this to a transformer. The major components involved are rotor blades, gear box, generator, power cables, and transformer. |
IELTS Writing Task 1 Process Diagram Tips
The description of processes should be an objective reporting of facts deduced from the image in question.
Apart from the main requirements of the test, there are other things to consider.
Cause and effect
Since we have to establish a causal relationship between the various parts of the process, it is imperative to learn to compose sentences which show purpose.
The following words or phrases can be used to communicate cause and effect relationships.
| in order to | due to | consequently |
| gives rise to | as a result | because |
| results in | causes | on account of |
| so that | so as to | to |
Example sentences
- Coal is transported to the furnace in order to to provide fuel to the fire.
- Boiling water in the boiler gives rise to steam.
- The rotation of the turbines results in the generation of electricity.
- Power cables connect the nacelle with the transformer so that the generator transmits the current.
- The rotor blades spin due to the force of wind.
- Infrared radiation is trapped as a result of the earth’s atmosphere.
- The generator is connected to long distance power lines so as to supply electricity to the power grid.
Passive voice
While reporting on processes, it is more appropriate to emphasize the action itself rather than whoever is doing the action by using the passive voice. The subject who performs the action is irrelevant in sentences in the passive voice, and the action is highlighted.
Structures for passive voice
| Tense | Passive structure |
|---|---|
| Simple past | was/were + past participle The electricity was transmitted. |
| Past perfect | had been + past participle The building had been constructed. |
| Past continuous | was/were + being + past participle The cables were being connected to the tower. |
| Past perfect continuous | had been + being + past participle The river had been being rerouted towards the reservoir. |
| Simple present | is/am/are + past participle Turbine is rotated by the force of water. |
| Present perfect | has/have + been + past participle Heat has been absorbed by the earth’s surface. |
| Present continuous | is/am/are + being + past participle Switchyards are being constructed. |
| Present perfect continuous | has/have + been + being + past participle The dam has been being reinforced for several months. |
| Simple future | will be + past participle Some amount of sunlight will be reflected back by the earth. |
| Future perfect | will have been + past participle Steam will have been condensed back into water by the condenser. |
| Future continuous | will be being + past participle Zinc will be being extracted from this mine three months from now. |
| Future perfect continuous | will have been being + past participle The radiation will have been being leaked for several hours by then. |
IELTS Writing Task 1 Process Diagram Sample answers
WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
| The diagram below shows how a hydroelectricity dam works. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. |
Write at least 150 words.
| Sample answer: |
|---|
| The given diagram illustrates the process of electricity production in a hydropower station. In summary, electricity is generated in a hydropower dam as the turbine is rotated due to the force of flowing water. The process comprises of reservoir, intake, penstock, and generator, among others. We can deduce from the diagram that the dam, which is constructed in higher ground, holds water in a reservoir. When the intake is opened, the water from the reservoir flows via the penstock towards the turbine, which is at lower ground. This kinetic force results in the rotation of the turbines. The power, which is manufactured as a result of electromagnetism, is transmitted to the generator located inside the powerhouse. Finally, long distance transmission lines are connected to the powerhouse so as to supply the electricity. It is also evident that the water which is discharged from the dam is released into the river. |
WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
| The diagram below shows the process of greenhouse effect on the earth. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. |
Write at least 150 words.
How earth’s atmosphere creates the greenhouse effect
| Sample answer: |
|---|
| The graphics explain the greenhouse effect. To sum up, it is clear from the illustration that the earth’s atmosphere is responsible for absorbing and trapping infrared radiation from the sun giving rise to the greenhouse effect. The process begins when the light from the sun reaches the earth. Although the earth’s atmosphere reflects some amount of visible light, most of it makes way to the surface of the earth. Then, some portion of the light is reflected by the earth’s surface, while the rest is absorbed. To continue, the light from the sun also consists of infrared radiation. Similar to visible light, some of this radiation is soaked up by the earth, whereas some of it bounces off the earth’s surface. However, on its way back, the atmosphere absorbs a portion of infrared radiation and sends it back. Hence, the earth’s atmosphere acts as a greenhouse over the planet by continuously trapping light and heat which otherwise would have escaped into space. |
Next lesson:
IELTS Writing Task 1 Maps: The perfect format
🎁🎁
quite helpful for describing the diagrams
Much obliged.