How to Write A Task 1 Process Diagram Band 9 Report
Process diagrams are common questions in IELTS Writing Task 1. They show a picture or drawing of how a final product is made or a machine works. Many students find this question intimidating, not because it's difficult, but because they're not sure how to approach it. But don't worry, we'll show you how to answer this question with confidence, step by step.
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Instead of discussing the whole picture, focus on the big picture and identify the major stages. This will help you to avoid confusion and stay on track.
On this page, we'll guide you through the 7 major steps for answering the IELTS Task 1 Process Diagram question:
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Analyse the question
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Identify the major features
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Remember the 4-paragraph structure
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Paraphrase the question sentence
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Write an Overview paragraph
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Write Body paragraph 1
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Write Body paragraph 2
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For all questions in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, using the 7-step strategy can give you an advantage in writing.
However, if you want to ensure you get the band score you need, consider using our Writing Feedback Service. A former IELTS examiner will provide you with detailed feedback and step-by-step guidance towards achieving your target band score.
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In addition, we offer high-band guaranteed eBooks filled with top-quality content written by a team of former IELTS examiners. These eBooks provide powerful tips and strategies to help you achieve a high band score by revealing band 9 secrets. Our team of examiners has conducted extensive research to provide in-depth discussions in the eBooks covering all aspects of every possible IELTS essay type.
Example
Source: Cambridge English IELTS Past Papers
1. How to Analyse A Process Diagram Question
We need to find three major areas in the question sentence:
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Topic Words / Keywords (General area of the question topic)
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Micro Keywords (It helps us prepare a specific answer, rather than being general)
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Action Words (The words that tell you what you need to do)
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Topic Words: university enrolment procedure
Micro Keywords: high school graduates
Action Words: Write a report to a lecturer describing the information
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After completing the question analysis part, we need to find the major features in the diagrams.
2. How to Identify the Key Features in A Task 1 Process Diagram
Finding the major features in an IELTS task 1 process diagram question is crucial to understanding the overall process and writing an effective response. Here are some steps to guide you:
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Start Broad: Initially, take a step back and observe the diagram as a whole to get a clear idea of the process. Identify what it's about, the beginning and end points, and the overall purpose or output.
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Identify the Main Stages: Next, look for the main stages of the process. These are significant points that divide the process into key sections or phases. You can often identify these stages by changes in the process direction, the involvement of different elements, or the initiation of new actions.
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Spot Significant Steps: Within these main stages, note the individual steps that are essential for moving from one stage to the next. Key actions, transformations, or interactions between elements usually mark these steps.
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Look for Sequences or Patterns: If there are repeating steps or patterns in the process, make a note of these, as they're important features. They can also help simplify the process when you describe it in your report.
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Spot the Actors: Identify the main 'actors' or elements involved in the process. These might be people, machines, natural elements, or even intangible factors like time or temperature.
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Consider Quantities and Proportions: If the diagram provides data in terms of quantities, percentages, or proportions, these figures can represent major features and should be included in your report.
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Remember, the goal is not to describe every minor detail but to provide a clear, concise, and coherent description of the process. Being able to find and focus on the major features in the diagram is a crucial skill for achieving a high band score on your IELTS writing task 1.
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Let's apply this above mentioned techniques to find the key features in our sample question:
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Three major possibilities:
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Acceptance
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Provisional Acceptance (additional documents required)
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Rejection
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If rejected:
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Either cancel the application or continue it for an alternative course.
3. Task-1 Process Diagram Report Writing Structure
We can complete the essay using only 10 sentences! Yes, it is that much simple! Take a look how we place the 10 sentences in our 4 paragraph essay structure. The eBook gives you an in-depth discussion on how to write each paragraph perfectly.
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1. Paraphrasing the Question Sentence
Paraphrase the question statement using just one or two sentences.
2. Overview Paragraph
Sentence 1: summary statement 1(preview of the essay without presenting data)
Sentence 2: summary statement 2 (more preview without presenting data)
3. Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1: first major point
Sentence 2: second major point
Sentence 3: extension sentence 1 (compare/combine the major points stated above)
Sentence 4: extension sentence 2 (extension of the previous sentence, or adding an exceptional feature).
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4. Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1: exceptional feature
Sentence 2: extension of the exceptional feature
Sentence 3: final sentence (wrapping-up the whole essay, completely based on the discussion above, nothing new)
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Let's develop the answer step by step applying the above-stated 4 paragraph essay structure.
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4. Paraphrasing the Question Sentence
The first paragraph of our IELTS Task 1 essay is focused on paraphrasing the question statement. This means you'll restate the question sentence in your own words without changing its meaning. To write this paragraph effectively, you'll need to have a good grasp of paraphrasing techniques.
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The purpose of this paragraph is to demonstrate to the examiner how well you've understood the question. It's important to nail this paragraph to make a good first impression. You can check the eBook where former IELTS examiners have shared powerful tips and strategies how to paraphrase most effectively.
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Let's look at the actual question statement that we are using on this page:
"The diagram shows the procedure for university entry for high school graduates.
Write a report for a university or college lecturer describing the information."
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We can paraphrase the statement above as:
"The diagram depicts a sequential process outlining the various steps a high school graduate can take to enrol in a university."
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Congratulations, you have completed the first paragraph with just 20 words out of the allotted 150. Now, let's proceed to the next section of the essay, which is the Overview Paragraph.
5. Task-1 Process Diagram Overview Paragraph
The second paragraph of our IELTS Writing Task 1 essay is called the Overview, and it's the most important paragraph of the essay. Without an Overview, you can't score higher than band 5 in the IELTS Writing section. Therefore, it's essential to pay special attention to this paragraph. Considering the significance of this paragraph, the eBook has dedicated an entire chapter providing effective tips and strategies how to write a perfect overview paragraph.
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Remember, the overview is a brief summary of the primary features that you'll discuss in the body paragraphs, so don't include any data in this paragraph, just state the apparent features that you see in the diagrams. The purpose of this paragraph is to provide the readers with a general idea about your essay.
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Overview Paragraph Structure
Remember our Overview paragraph structure:
Sentence 1: summary statement 1(preview of the essay without presenting data)
Sentence 2: summary statement 2 (more preview without presenting data)
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Let's form the paragraph:
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Sentence 1(Summary Statement 1)
"Overall, any high school graduate can apply for university admission, but the administration will determine whether to accept the applicant outright, accept provisionally, or reject the application."
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Sentence 2(Summary Statement 2)
"However, if the application is rejected or provisionally accepted, applicants have options to continue the enrolment process."
Complete Overview Paragraph
"Overall, any high school graduate can apply for university admission, but the administration will determine whether to accept the applicant outright, accept provisionally, or reject the application. However, if the application is rejected or provisionally accepted, applicants have options to continue the enrolment process."
Easily done! In the first paragraph, we used 20 words to paraphrase the question sentence. In the second paragraph, we added 44 more words to write the Overview. With this, we've completed two out of the four paragraphs that we recommend for writing the IELTS Task 1 essay. That means we're halfway there! It's time to move on to Body Paragraphs 1 and 2.
6. Body Paragraph 1
In the overview paragraph, we have given just a general statement of significant features, we haven't discussed any detail. Now it's time to explain them in the two body paragraphs.
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Body Paragraph 1 Structure
Remember our Body Paragraph 1 structure:
Sentence 1: first major point
Sentence 2: second major point
Sentence 3: extension sentence 1 (compare/combine the major points stated above)
Sentence 4: extension sentence 2 (extension of the previous sentence, or adding an exceptional feature).
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Let's form the paragraph following the above-stated structure:
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Sentence 1(First Major Point)
"The possession of a high school diploma is a prerequisite for applying for admission to a university, yet it may not be enough."
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Sentence 2(Second Major Point)
"Additional documentation may be necessary for final enrolment."
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Sentence 3(Extension Sentence 1)
"Successful applicants may be able to enrol directly if they meet the admission requirements."
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Sentence 4(Extension Sentence 2)
"However, further documentation may be required for enrolment if additional requirements are not met."
Complete Body Paragraph 1
"The possession of a high school diploma is a prerequisite for applying for admission to a university, yet it may not be enough. Additional documentation may be necessary for final enrolment. Successful applicants may be able to enrol directly if they meet the admission requirements. However, further documentation may be required for enrolment if additional requirements are not met."
The first body paragraph of our IELTS Task 1 essay is now complete, with an additional 64 words added. We have made significant progress with our essay as we have already covered 75% of the total required words. Our approach is simple, describing the most prominent features depicted in the given images.
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The first paragraph contained 20 words, the second contained 44, and the third contained 64, bringing our total to 128 words used out of the required 150. With just one more paragraph remaining, we need to write a minimum of 22 more words to complete the essay. We are making great progress, and it's time to proceed to the final paragraph, the Body Paragraph 2.
7. Body Paragraph 2
The last paragraph of our IELTS Task 1 essay is called Body Paragraph 2. It's the simplest one, as we just need to mention some additional features in the first sentence, make a comparison statement in the second sentence, and wrap up the essay with a summary in the final sentence. So, let's follow this structure for the second body paragraph.
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Body Paragraph 2 Structure
Sentence 1: exceptional feature
Sentence 2: extension of the exceptional feature
Sentence 3: final sentence (wrapping-up the whole essay, completely based on the discussion above, nothing new)
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Let's form the paragraph following the above-stated structure:
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Sentence 1(Exceptional Feature)
"Applicants may face the possibility of rejection during the application process."
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Sentence 2(Extension of the Exceptional Feature)
"In the event of rejection, they may choose to apply for alternative courses or face the cancellation of their application."
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Sentence 3(Final Sentence)
"Therefore, meeting the primary requirement of a high school graduation is necessary for a university admission, yet acceptance, provisional acceptance, or rejection with alternative course options are all possible outcomes."
Complete Body Paragraph 2
"Applicants may face the possibility of rejection during the application process. In the event of rejection, they may choose to apply for alternative courses or face the cancellation of their application. Therefore, meeting the primary requirement of a high school graduation is necessary for a university admission, yet acceptance, provisional acceptance, or rejection with alternative course options are all possible outcomes."
We've added 60 more words to the previous 128, and just finished the final part of our 4 paragraph essay. That means we have completed an IELTS Task 1 essay with 188 words, which is absolutely okay. In fact, you might always need to write somewhere between 170 and 220 words for giving a good description.
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In conclusion, we can say that creating a stellar Task 1 Process Diagram Band 9 report may initially seem daunting, but with the correct understanding and adequate practice, you can master it. The right mix of summarizing and detailing, adopting a logical sequence, and incorporating varied language are all key facets of a top-notch report. If you've been pondering "how to write a process diagram IELTS task 1" or "IELTS academic writing task 1 process diagram example", this comprehensive guide should put all your worries to rest. Remember, it's not only about comprehending the process diagram but also about portraying it effectively and accurately in your writing.
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Whether you're at the early stage of asking "what is a process diagram in IELTS writing task 1" or you're seeking advanced tips to elevate your Band 7 report to a Band 9, the techniques shared in this post should prove invaluable. With consistent practice, employing the steps detailed here, you'll be well on your way to mastering your Band 9 report writing skills.
The IELTS writing task 1 process diagram band 9 report doesn't have to be an insurmountable hurdle; in fact, with the right approach, it can become a stepping stone towards your academic success. So, put these insights into practice, fine-tune your skills, and step closer to your IELTS success story.
Don't forget to check the following resources:
Check the detailed discussion on all the question types