Level: IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
Task type: Process diagram
Recommended time: 20 minutes
Word count: At least 150 words
Task
The diagram below shows how apple juice is produced and prepared for sale.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
How to approach this task
Start with a short introduction that paraphrases the question.
Then write an overview. This should describe the whole process in general terms, not every small detail. For this process, focus on the fact that it is a linear production process which begins with harvesting apples and ends with bottled apple juice being packed and stored.
After that, describe the early stages of the process. Mention that apples are harvested, washed and crushed before the juice is extracted through pressing.
Then describe the later stages. Explain that the juice is filtered, pasteurised and cooled before being bottled, labelled and packed for storage or sale.
Use the passive voice because the focus is on the process, not the people or machines doing the actions.
Do not give opinions. Do not explain why the process is used. Do not add extra information that is not shown in the diagram.
Useful language
Describing stages
first
initially
at the beginning of the process
after this
the next stage involves
once this has been done
following this
subsequently
in the final stage
the process ends with
Passive process verbs
are harvested
are washed
are crushed
is extracted
is pressed
is filtered
is pasteurised
is cooled
is bottled
are labelled
are packed
is stored
Useful process phrases
go through several stages
undergo processing
pass through a filter
is prepared for sale
is packed into boxes
ready for distribution
the production process begins with
the process concludes with
Practice task
Write your own answer in at least 150 words. Try to include:
a clear introduction
a clear overview
the main stages in the correct order
accurate passive voice
sequencing language
no personal opinion
no invented details
Example answers
Model answer: Band 6.5
The diagram shows the process of producing bottled apple juice and preparing it for sale.
Overall, there are several stages in the process, beginning with apples being picked from trees and ending with bottles of juice being packed and stored. The apples are first cleaned and processed, and then the juice is treated before it is put into bottles.
At the first stage, apples are harvested and placed in containers. After this, they are washed carefully in water. The clean apples are then crushed by a machine, which breaks them into smaller pieces. Next, the crushed apples are pressed so that the juice can be extracted.
In the following stage, the juice is passed through a filter to remove unwanted material. It is then pasteurised by being heated, before it is cooled. Once the juice has been treated, it is put into bottles on a production line. These bottles are then labelled. In the final stage, the finished bottles are packed into boxes and stored, ready to be sold.
Model answer: Band 8.0
The diagram illustrates the process by which apple juice is manufactured and prepared for sale in bottles.
Overall, the production of bottled apple juice is a linear process consisting of ten main stages. It begins with the harvesting of apples and ends with the storage of packaged bottles. Broadly, the apples are first cleaned and converted into juice, after which the liquid is filtered, heat-treated and packaged.
At the beginning of the process, apples are harvested from trees and collected in containers. They are then washed to remove any dirt before being transferred to a crushing machine, where they are broken down into smaller pieces. The crushed apples are subsequently pressed in order to extract the juice.
Once the juice has been obtained, it passes through a filtering stage to remove remaining solids or impurities. It is then pasteurised, which involves heating the liquid, before being cooled in preparation for packaging. After this treatment stage has been completed, the juice is poured into bottles on a production line. The bottles are then labelled, packed into boxes and finally stored, ready for distribution or sale.
