Scorify.uzThe question
The diagram shows how plastic bottles are recycled into new products.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
What to notice before you write
A process description uses present simple passive (“are collected”, “is melted”) and sequence words (first, then, next, finally). State how many stages there are and what the start and end of the process are. Do not describe the diagram as if it were data.
Band 7 sample report
The diagram illustrates the process by which used plastic bottles are recycled and turned into new plastic products.
Overall, the process consists of seven stages, beginning with the collection of bottles from recycling bins and ending with the production of new items.
First, the used bottles are collected from public bins and taken to a recycling plant, where they are sorted according to type and colour. Next, the sorted bottles are crushed into small pieces so that they can be processed more easily, and these pieces are then washed to remove labels and dirt.
After that, the clean plastic is melted at a high temperature. The liquid plastic is formed into small pellets, which are cooled and hardened. Finally, the pellets are used by factories to make new products such as containers, clothing fibres or toys.
The process is therefore a closed cycle, because the plastic that comes from used bottles becomes the raw material for new items, which reduces the need for new plastic and keeps waste out of landfill.
171 words.
Useful language for this chart type
- consist of … stages — have a number of steps
- first / next / after that / finally — sequence words
- is / are + past participle — passive voice for processes
- so that — showing purpose
- according to — based on
- such as — giving examples
- be turned into — be changed into
Common mistakes
- Using active voice and “they” for machines.
- Forgetting the overview (number of stages and start/end).
- Adding steps that are not in the diagram.
Study guides
Computer-Delivered IELTS: What Changes and What Stays the Same
Thinking about taking IELTS on a computer? Here is what stays the same, what feels different in Writing, Reading and Listening, and how to prepare for the screen.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Vocabulary for Graphs, Charts and Processes
Useful verbs, nouns, adverbs and sentence patterns for describing line graphs, bar charts, tables and processes in IELTS Task 1, with more than twelve example sentences.
Linking Words for IELTS and How to Use Them Correctly
A practical list of IELTS linking words grouped by function, with correct and incorrect examples, punctuation rules and a warning about overusing connectors.
Frequently asked questions
How many words should an IELTS Task 1 report be?
Write at least 150 words. Strong reports are usually 160–190 words and take about 20 minutes, leaving a minute or two to check.
What is an overview in Task 1?
The overview is a short paragraph, written without detailed numbers, that states the main trends or the most important features of the data. Reports without a clear overview are limited to a lower band.
Should I give my opinion in Task 1?
No. Describe and compare only what the data shows. Do not explain reasons or add information that is not in the chart.