Academic Writing Task 1 · process diagram

The industrial process of manufacturing carbonated soft drinks for retail: 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.
  • 177 words
  • Process diagrams
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The diagram gives information about the process of making carbonated drinks.

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

The process of manufacturing carbonated drinks
  1. 1.Water cleaning
  2. 2.Heating evaporation and carbonation
  3. 3.Mixing
  4. 4.Filtering and filling
  5. 5.Packaging

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 8177 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The provided diagram illustrates the five-stage industrial process involved in the manufacturing of carbonated beverages. Overall, the production cycle begins with the purification of raw water and concludes with the packaging and transportation of the final products to supermarkets.

In the first stage, raw water undergoes a cleaning process, passing through a filter and a water softener, with additional chemicals added before being pumped forward. Subsequently, in stage two, the water is heated and then cooled via a cooling pipe, where carbon dioxide is introduced to create carbonated water. This carbonated water is then transported to a mixing tank in stage three.

During the third stage, the carbonated water is combined with colouring, syrup, and flavouring agents. Once mixed, the liquid moves to the fourth stage, where it is filtered again before being filled into either bottles or cans. Finally, in stage five, these containers are packed into boxes and loaded onto a truck for delivery to supermarkets. The entire sequence demonstrates a highly structured, automated workflow designed to convert basic raw materials into consumer-ready soft drinks.

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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.
  • illustrates

    shows or provides information about a visual

  • subsequently

    happening after something else in a sequence

  • concludes

    brings a process or event to an end

  • combined

    joined or mixed together to form one

  • sequence

    a particular order in which things follow

  • demonstrates

    clearly shows how something works or exists

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The production of carbonated drinks is a five-stage industrial process that transforms raw water and various additives into packaged products ready for supermarket distribution.

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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