Introduction
The IELTS process diagrams question can occur in one of two ways: first, as a process diagram, e.g., the brick-making process given below, or second, as a cyclic process, which could be a natural process, e.g. the water life cycle in the environment.
Solved Example
Source: Official IELTS website www.https://ielts.org
IELTS process diagrams tips
Follow the essay structure
Follow the shared essay structure. Constant practice will make it easier to attempt the essay questions and reduce the time taken to try these.
Structure
Introduction – paragraph 1
Overview – paragraph 2
First main feature – paragraph 3
Second main feature – paragraph 4
Stick to the word limit
If the task says you have to write a minimum of 150 words, ensure you write at least 150 words, but keep it within 200 words
IELTS process diagrams strategy
Read and understand the question
Example question
The diagram below shows the process by which bricks are manufactured for the building industry
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant
Write at least 150 words
After reading the question you will understand what the diagram is about and then what needs to be done. For example, here it says you need to summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and making comparisons where relevant. Next, it tells you to write at least 150 words.
Identify the process type (cyclic vs linear)
Identify the process type, whether it is cyclic or linear.
A cyclic process is a type of process in which there are steps, but these steps occur in a cycle and are repeated.
A linear process is a type of process that normally involves the creation of something. There is an input, some steps are performed to process the input, and in the end, there is an output of the process, e.g., the brick manufacturing process above.
Identify and compare the main features
The trick is to identify 3 main features from the diagram and write about them.
Essay structure for IELTS process diagrams
When writing the essay, follow the structure given below. It can be used as a template to plan your essay quickly.
Introduction – paragraph 1
Overview – paragraph 2
First main feature/stage – paragraph 3
Second main feature/stage – paragraph 4
Introduction – paragraph 1
The first part of the essay is the introduction to the essay. The introduction can be created by simply paraphrasing the question. Read the question and change it by using synonyms. You can also change the sentence structure but don’t copy and paste the exact sentence from the question.
Question: The diagram below shows the process by which the bricks are manufactured for the building industry.
Introduction: The diagram displays the steps involved in the brick manufacturing process used in the building industry.
Overview – paragraph2
The second part of the essay is the overview. When writing the overview summarize the main points of the main features of the diagram and make comparisons in the data.
The brick manufacturing process requires equipment like a digger, roller, moulds, drying oven, kiln and cooling chamber. Once bricks are created, they need to be packaged and transported.
First main feature/stage – paragraph 3
You will need to break down the diagram into features or stages. In this example, we have broken it down based on the stages in the process.
Stage 1 – Bricks are moulded from clay using the various steps in the process
In the first stage of the brick manufacturing process, the clay is dug from the ground using a digger and processed through a roller with a metal grid. water is added to this clay and it is then put in a mould to shape it.
Second main feature/stage – paragraph 4
Stage 2 – Bricks are dried, baked, cooled, packaged and delivered using the various steps.
In the second stage of the process, the bricks are removed from the moulds and dried in an oven for 24 to 48 hours. After that, they are baked in the kiln at moderate and high temperatures. Then, the bricks are cooled in the cooling chamber for 48 to 72 hours. Finally, the bricks are ready for packaging and delivery.
Complete Essay
The diagram displays the steps involved in the brick manufacturing process used in the building industry.
The brick manufacturing process requires equipment such as a digger, roller, moulds, drying oven, kiln, and cooling chamber. Once bricks are created, they need to be packaged and transported.
In the first stage of the brick manufacturing process, the clay is dug from the ground using a digger and processed through a roller with a metal grid. water is added to this clay and it is then put into moulds to shape it.
In the second stage of the process, the bricks are removed from the moulds and dried in an oven for 24 to 48 hours. After that, they are baked in the kiln at moderate temperatures ranging from 200 to 900 degrees centigrade and high temperatures ranging from 870 to 1300 degrees centigrade. Then, the bricks are cooled in the cooling chamber for 48 to 72 hours. Finally, the bricks are ready for packaging and delivery.
Word count – 175 words