Level: IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
Task type: Natural process diagram
Recommended time: 20 minutes
Word count: At least 150 words
Task
The diagram below shows the natural water cycle.
Summarise the information by describing the main stages of the process.
Write at least 150 words.
How to approach this task
Start with a short introduction that paraphrases the question.
Then write a clear overview. The most important feature is that this is a continuous cyclical process rather than a process with a fixed beginning and end.
Your overview should identify the broad stages:
- water evaporates from the collection area
- it condenses in the atmosphere
- precipitation falls over the land
- the water returns through surface runoff or groundwater flow
- the cycle begins again
After the overview, describe the process in a logical sequence.
A useful structure is:
Paragraph 1: evaporation, condensation and precipitation
Paragraph 2: surface runoff, infiltration, groundwater flow and collection
An important feature to notice is that after precipitation, water follows two different routes. Some travels across the surface as runoff, while some infiltrates the ground and returns through groundwater flow.
Do not give opinions. Do not explain scientific details that are not shown in the diagram. Only describe the information provided.
Useful language
Introducing the diagram
The diagram illustrates…
The diagram shows…
The process shown is cyclical.
The diagram demonstrates how water moves through…
Writing an overview
Overall, this is a continuous cyclical process.
Overall, water moves between the surface, atmosphere and ground.
Broadly, water evaporates, returns as precipitation and eventually flows back to the collection area.
The cycle is completed when water returns to the main collection area.
Sequencing language
initially
at the beginning of the cycle
following this
in the next stage
subsequently
once this has occurred
at the same time
eventually
finally
Useful process vocabulary
evaporates
rises into the atmosphere
condenses
forms clouds
falls as precipitation
travels as surface runoff
infiltrates the ground
moves underground
flows back towards
collects
begins again
Useful comparison language
whereas
while
by contrast
either…or…
one route involves…while the other…
some water…, while the remainder…
Practice task
Write your own answer in at least 150 words. Try to include:
a clear introduction
a clear overview
the main stages in a logical order
both routes taken by water after precipitation
accurate process vocabulary
appropriate sequencing language
no personal opinion
no invented scientific details
What a strong answer should do
A strong IELTS Task 1 response should:
- Clearly identify that the process is cyclical.
- Give an overview rather than simply listing labels from the diagram.
- Describe the stages in a logical sequence.
- Explain both surface runoff and groundwater flow.
- Use precise process vocabulary.
- Use a range of sentence structures accurately.
- Avoid adding scientific information that is not shown.
Example answers
Target Band 6.5 model answer
The diagram shows the natural water cycle and the main stages through which water moves between the surface, the atmosphere and the ground.
Overall, this is a continuous cyclical process. Water first evaporates from a large body of water, then condenses to form clouds before falling as precipitation. After reaching the land, it returns to the collection area either as surface runoff or through underground flow.
At the beginning of the cycle, water evaporates from the surface and rises into the atmosphere. It then cools and condenses, forming clouds. In the next stage, precipitation falls over the land and mountainous areas.
Some of this water travels across the surface as runoff, moving through rivers and streams towards the main collection area. At the same time, part of the water infiltrates the ground. It then moves below the surface as groundwater flow until it also reaches the collection area. From there, evaporation begins again and the cycle continues.
Why this is around a target Band 6.5
This response completes the task accurately and includes a clear overview. The stages are presented in the correct order, and both routes back to the collection area are described.
The organisation is easy to follow and the grammar is accurate, but the language is relatively straightforward. There is some repetition of words such as water, area and stage, and the sentence structures are less varied than in a higher-band response.
This makes it appropriate as a Target Band 6.5 model rather than an example designed to demonstrate highly flexible Band 8 language.
Target Band 8.0 model answer
The diagram illustrates the natural water cycle, showing how water circulates continuously between a large collection area, the atmosphere and the land.
Overall, the process is cyclical and involves three broad phases: water rises through evaporation, returns to the Earth’s surface as precipitation, and then flows back to the collection area above or below ground. A key feature is that water can follow two different routes after precipitation, either travelling over the surface or infiltrating the soil and moving underground.
Initially, water evaporates from the main collection area and rises into the atmosphere. As it moves higher, it condenses to form clouds. This is followed by precipitation, with water falling over the mountainous and surrounding land.
Once the water reaches the ground, part of it travels downhill as surface runoff, feeding streams and rivers that eventually return it to the collection area. The remainder infiltrates the soil and enters an underground layer. It then moves laterally as groundwater flow towards the same body of water. Once the water has collected there, evaporation can occur again, thereby restarting the cycle.
Why this is around a target Band 8.0
This response gives a strong overview and groups the process into broader phases instead of simply repeating the diagram labels.
It also identifies the most significant structural feature of the process: after precipitation, water follows two separate routes before returning to the collection area.
The vocabulary is precise and flexible, including phrases such as circulates continuously, three broad phases, infiltrating the soil, moves laterally, and thereby restarting the cycle. The sentence structures are varied and controlled, and the information is organised logically without introducing unnecessary scientific explanation.
These features make it suitable as a Target Band 8.0 model.
Rubric note for students
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 is assessed using four criteria:
Task Achievement – Have you described the important features and given an appropriate overview?
Coherence and Cohesion – Is the information organised logically and connected clearly?
Lexical Resource – Is your vocabulary varied, precise and appropriate for the task?
Grammatical Range and Accuracy – Do you use a range of grammatical structures accurately?
The model answers above are labelled Target Band 6.5 and Target Band 8.0 for teaching purposes. A real IELTS score is awarded by an examiner after considering the complete response against all four assessment criteria.
Quick writing tips
Always include an overview.
Make it clear that the water cycle is cyclical, not linear.
Do not simply copy the seven labels from the diagram.
Group related stages together.
Mention both routes after precipitation: surface runoff and groundwater flow.
Use the present simple because the diagram shows a natural process that happens repeatedly.
Do not explain why evaporation or condensation occurs unless that information is shown in the diagram.
Keep the response factual, neutral and focused on the process.
