Academic Writing Task 1 · process diagram

A diagram illustrating the nine-stage manufacturing process of bamboo fabric: IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 1 process diagram question with a Band 8 sample answer, the chart redrawn with its data, the vocabulary that lifts the report and how to write about process diagrams.
  • 163 words
  • Process diagrams
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The diagram below shows how fabric is manufactured from bamboo.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

How bamboo fabric is made
  1. 1.Plant bamboo plants (Spring)
  2. 2.Harvest (Autumn)
  3. 3.Cut into strips
  4. 4.Crush strips to make liquid pulp
  5. 5.Filter to separate long fibres from liquid
  6. 6.Soften fibres by adding water and amine oxide
  7. 7.Spin
  8. 8.Weave to make fabric
  9. 9.Finished products (socks and t-shirt)

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8163 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The provided diagram illustrates the nine distinct stages involved in the manufacturing of fabric from bamboo plants. Overall, the process is a linear sequence that transforms raw organic material into finished textile products through a combination of mechanical and chemical treatments.

The process commences in the spring with the planting of bamboo, followed by the harvesting stage in the autumn. Once harvested, the bamboo stalks are cut into smaller strips. These strips undergo a crushing process to produce a liquid pulp, which is then filtered to separate the long fibres from the remaining liquid.

In the subsequent phase, the fibres are softened through the addition of water and amine oxide. Once the fibres are prepared, they are spun into yarn. This yarn is then woven to create the final fabric. The entire manufacturing cycle concludes with the production of finished items, specifically socks and t-shirts. Throughout the process, the transformation moves from raw agricultural cultivation to industrial processing, ultimately resulting in consumer-ready apparel.

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Process diagrams

How to write about process diagrams: tips and vocabulary

  • →Say how many stages there are and where the process starts and ends.
  • →Use the passive and sequencers: first, after this, once, finally.
  • →Keep every stage; a missing step costs task achievement.
  • commences

    to begin or start a particular process

  • subsequent

    coming after something else in a sequence

  • linear sequence

    a series of steps following one another

  • transformation

    a thorough or dramatic change in form

  • concludes

    to bring an event or process to end

  • distinct

    recognizably different in nature from something else

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The production of bamboo fabric is a nine-stage process that begins with the cultivation and harvesting of bamboo plants and concludes with the creation of finished textile products.

How many words and how long for IELTS Writing Task 1?+

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How is IELTS Writing Task 1 scored?+

On four criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. A clear overview of the main features is what most separates Band 6 from Band 7 and above.

How do I describe process diagrams?+

Say how many stages there are and where the process starts and ends. Use the passive and sequencers: first, after this, once, finally. Keep every stage; a missing step costs task achievement.

Keep practising

More process diagrams

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