Academic Writing Task 1 · process diagram

The manufacturing process of coloured plastic paper clips in a factory: 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.
  • 188 words
  • Process diagrams
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The flowchart illustrates the production of colored plastic paper clips in a small factory.

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

  1. 1.Molten plastic
  2. 2.Red, blue, and yellow moulding
  3. 3.Machine-check for strength
  4. 4.Reject faulty items
  5. 5.Sort by hand
  6. 6.Separate into mixed and single colours
  7. 7.Check colour mixture/singles
  8. 8.Packing and Despatch

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 8188 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The provided flowchart illustrates the various stages involved in the manufacturing of coloured plastic paper clips within a small factory. Overall, the process is linear, beginning with the preparation of raw molten plastic and ending with the final packing and dispatch of the finished goods, with two distinct quality control checkpoints integrated throughout the production cycle.

Initially, molten plastic is fed into three separate moulds, specifically red, blue, and yellow. Once moulded, the clips undergo an automated quality control process where a machine checks for structural strength. Any items that fail this assessment are immediately rejected. The remaining clips proceed to a manual sorting stage, where they are categorised into either mixed colours or single colours.

Following this, the sorted clips undergo a second quality control check to verify the colour consistency of the mixtures and single-coloured batches. Interestingly, the flowchart indicates a feedback loop from the single colours stage back to the manual sorting process, suggesting a potential re-sorting mechanism. Finally, once the clips have passed the second quality control inspection, they are moved to the packing and dispatch department, marking the completion of the manufacturing cycle.

Write your own report and get a band

Take a timed Academic writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Write a report, get a band free →

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 demonstrates something through a visual aid

  • linear

    arranged in or extending along a straight line

  • integrated

    combined with other parts to form a whole

  • categorised

    placed into a particular group or classification

  • consistency

    the quality of achieving a level of performance

  • feedback loop

    a process where output is returned as input

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The production process involves a series of moulding, quality control, and sorting stages, beginning with molten plastic and concluding with the packing and dispatch of the final product.

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

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Write a report, get a band free