The Writing Section is one of the components of the IELTS test and has two tasks. Task 1 is different for Academic and General Training tests, while Task 2 (Essay) is same for both. This article specifically focuses on IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, where we have narrowed down to the description of a process diagram. You can click on IELTS Writing Task 2 (Essay) to read about it in detail.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
IELTS Academic Writing section consists of two tasks. Let us look at some of the details of Writing Task 1:
- The total time for the entire writing section is 60 minutes.
- Writing Task 1 is 1/3 of your total score on the writing section. This means that for Task 1 you will have approximately 20 minutes.
- In Academic Writing Task 1, you are supposed to write a summary on a given graph (bar graph/line graph/pie chart), table, or a process. You are supposed to find the most important and relevant information given in the visual information, and provide a coherent and an organized summary/overview of the same
- You have to write a minimum 150 words. Anything less than that will attract a penalty.
- The answer should be provided in full, and notes or bullet points will not be accepted.
Let us understand what all are the performance descriptors for Academic Writing Task 1:
- Task Achievement: This means how accurately and appropriately you have answered the question. The information that you put in your summary should be factually correct and should be based on the visual information. Any outside information that is not relevant, must not be provided.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Ask yourself these questions:
- Does my summary make sense?
- Does my summary follow the process?
- Does it have clarity and fluency?
- How well have I linked the information and idea?
- Is there a flow in my language?
- Have I used proper cohesive devices such as connectors, conjunctions, etc.?
- Lexical resource: This refers to the range, accuracy, and appropriateness of vocabulary used.
- Grammatical range and accuracy: This deals with the range and accuracy of grammar on a ‘sentence level’.
IELTS Exam Pattern 2022: Check Section-wise (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking) Format
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Process Diagram
Before we take up an Academic Writing Task 1 Sample, let us go through some of the key points that you should follow:
- Even though you will not be penalized for writing more than 150 words, make sure that you do not write a very long summary. Else, you will fall short of time for Task 2.
- You must write in an academic or a neutral style.
- Make sure that you include all the important information and key features of the process diagram.
- Your response should be relevant and should address the topic. Do not include any irrelevant and off-topic details.
- Make sure to use the sequencers. They will help the examiner understand the flow of the process. Some of the sequencers are mentioned below:
- First of all / The first step is / The first stage is
- Next / In the next step
- Then
- After that
- Finally / In the final step / In the final stage
- Once we are done with this / After we are finished with this
Now that you have all the information about the Process Diagrams asked on the Academic Writing Task 1, let us look at the steps of answering the question:
Step 1: Analyse the diagram and understand the key information
- Where is the start? Where is the end?
- How many stages are there?
- Is it a cyclic process or a linear process?
- What is the result?
- Can I break the process into two parts? If yes, what steps come in part 1 and what steps come in part 2?
Step 2: Write an essay using the recommended essay structure
- Introduction: You must paraphrase the question and state main key details or summary of the main stages. We have provided an example of how paraphrasing is done.
- Body Paragraph 1 = Describe the first half of the process, or the processes that occur together
- Body Paragraph 2 = Describe the second half of the process, or the processes that occur together
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Samples: Process Diagram
Sample Question: The diagram below shows the steps in the process of manufacturing yogurt. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
Sample Answer:
The flow chart illustrates the procedure for making yogurt. Overall, the procedure has eight steps that can be grouped into four stages: preparing the milk, preparing a milk-yogurt mix, mixing all the ingredients, and setting the yogurt.
First, the milk is heated to 90 degrees Celsius. The hot milk is then allowed to cool to a moderately warm temperature. In the second stage, a milk-yogurt mix is prepared by mixing some cold milk and old yogurt. This mixture is whisked until it becomes smooth and does not have lumps. Subsequently, in the third stage, the whisked mixture is poured into the warm milk that was obtained in the first stage.
The final stage involves setting the yogurt. The mixture is wrapped in a cloth to maintain a slightly warm temperature and is allowed to set for nearly five hours. Finally, the yogurt is cooled and stored at a cold temperature.Download this article as PDF to read offline
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