IELTS Writing Task 1: describe a process
Here is some more advice for describing a process diagram. The question I'm using comes from Cambridge IELTS 6. It's also on this website(go down the page to test 3).
Advice:
1.Introduction: paraphrase the question statement (one sentence).
2.Summary paragraph: write how many steps there are in each of the
2 diagrams. You could also mention the first step and the last step
in each process (two sentences).
3.Details: describe each step in the diagrams. We'll look at this next
week.
Here's my example introduction and summary paragraph:
The figures illustrate the stages in the life of a silkworm and the process of producing silk cloth.
There are four main stages in the life cycle of the silkworm, from eggs to adult moth. The process of silk cloth production involves six steps, from silkworm cocoon to silk material.
Can you see the paraphrasing I have used? Next week we'll work on describing the stages in each process.
paraphrasing:
diagrams=figures
show=illustrate
stages=steps
the life cycle of the silkworm=the stages in the life of a silkworm production=process of producing...=process of ...production.
there are ...stages=...involves ...steps.
Hello Simon,
I hope the paraphrasing aboved is correct. I enjoy you daily lessions very much. I am preparing for the IELTS test, and your lessons help me a lot. Thank you very much.
Here I have some qustions about this lession. The following is my sentence:
There are six stages in the process of silk cloth production, beginning with selecting cocoons. Then the qualified cocoons will* be boiled, unwind into* thread, and the thread will be twisted and finally weaved.
My first question is that should I use future tense (will be boiled....) or present simple tense (is boiled)?
The second question is that which preposition should i use? (the qualified cocoons will be unwind into* thread: should I use "into") ?
I am looking forward to your reply. Thanks again.
Best wishes
Theresa
Hi Theresa,
Your paraphrasing is perfect. Here are the answers to your questions:
1. I would use the present simple to describe processes e.g. "The selected (not 'qualified') cocoons are boiled."
2. I would avoid trying to use a preposition - I'd find another way to describe it e.g. "The cocoon is unwound, leaving a single thread". Or, "it is then possible to unwind the cocoon in order to have a thread of silk."
Hope this helps,
Simon
When describing stages in a process:
1.Start at the beginning. Use words that clearly show the stages (e.g.
firstly, at the first stage, after that, next, following this,
finally).
e the present simple tense.
e the 'active' when someone or something does the action (e.g.
the moth lays its eggs).
e the 'passive' when it is not important to say who or what does
the action (e.g. the silk cloth is dyed).
Here are some example sentences from last week's question: The life cycle of the silkworm begins when the moth lays its eggs.
