IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Process Diagram — Model Answer
When an examiner opens a Task 1 script for a process diagram, they are looking for one specific cognitive skill: the ability to transform visual data into a logical, cohesive narrative.
The question
The diagram below shows the stages involved in the recycling of plastic bottles. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Model answer (opening excerpt)
The provided flow chart illustrates the multi-stage process of recycling plastic bottles, tracing their journey from initial disposal to the creation of new consumer products.
The full Band 9 response, with paragraph-by-paragraph examiner notes, is part of Ted.Talks.DZ coaching.
The Trap → The Logic → The Fix
| Feature | The Trap (Band 5/6) | The Logic | The Fix (Band 8/9) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voice | Using the active voice ("The man puts the bottles in the bin"). | The "actor" is irrelevant; the "action" is what matters for technical reporting. | Use the passive voice: "Bottles are placed in bins." |
| Sequencing | Overusing "And then... and then... next... then." | Repetitive markers annoy the examiner and lower the Cohesion score. | Use varied structures: "Once X is complete, Y occurs," or "The subsequent stage involves..." |
| Data Grouping | Describing every single arrow as a separate sentence. | Examiners look for the ability to group related steps to show "logical progression." | Combine steps: "After being sorted, the bottles are compressed into bales for transport." |
Band-by-Band Breakdown: Why this is Band 9
| Element | Why This is Band 9 | Common Band 6 Version |
|---|---|---|
| Task Achievement | Identifies all 9 stages but groups them into logical "phases" (Collection, Processing, Manufacturing). | Mentions every stage individually without identifying the overall trend or stages. |
| Cohesion & Coherence | Uses "referencing" (e.g., "these flakes," "the material") to link sentences without repeating nouns. | Repeatedly uses "the plastic" or "the bottles" in every sentence. |
| Lexical Resource | Uses "culminating," "conveyed," "contaminants," and "facilitate." Accuracy is 100%. | Uses simple verbs like "go," "put," "clean," and "make." |
| Grammatical Range | Mixes complex sentences (relative clauses) with accurate passive voice structures. | Primarily uses simple "Subject + Verb + Object" sentences in the active voice. |
More: all model answers · Task 2 structure guide
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Try a mock testVisit Ted.Talks.DZ