Writing Task 1 (Process and Maps)

FYI:

Other than graph with trends or a graph with comparatives in the task 1 questions, there are two other possible types of questions:

1. Describing a process (for instance, how to produce tea)
2. Describing two maps (often of a city in 2 periods of time)

Tips for you:

1. Write an introduction which describes the process in your own words and mentions how many stages there are.
2. Write two paragraphs in the main body at least, dividing the process into two clear parts.
3. Use simple present tense and simple present passive.
4. Use a range of linking words to join the stages together, for example first of all, subsequently, the next step is, at this point, initially, and then, after which.

*You can also linking it with after + -ing, for example “After being taken to supermarket, the boxes of tea are then sold to costumers”. This may improve your score as you vary your sentences into passive form.

5. Write at least 150 words for 20 minutes.

Model answer:

These pictures illustrate how tea is produced, and how a cup of tea is made. There are 18 stages in the diagram, from sowing the tea seeds in Indonesia and Thailand, to enjoying a cup of tea at home.

The first step is that the tea seeds are sown, and then the sun shines, which causes the seeds to grow into plants. Once the plants have grown sufficiently, the leaves are then picked by the farmer and put into baskets. After the picking stage, the tea leaves are spread out in the sun to be dried. The tea leaves are packed into boxes and then they are loaded onto lorries, which take the boxes of tea to supermarkets.

In order to make a cup of tea, first of all you buy a box of tea and take it home. Next, you fill the kettle with water and put it on the stove to boil. Menwhile, you put a tea bag in a cup, and once the kettle has boiled, the water is poured into the cup. Having been left in the cup for two minutes, the tea bag is then removed, and the tea is now ready to drink. At this point, milk and sugar can be added. The final step is that you drink a nice cup of hot tea.

Exercise for you:

This picture shows how tomato ketchup is made. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features.