Source: Cambridge IELTS 8, Test 3

Source: Cambridge IELTS 12, Test 8

INTRODUCTION

Note: paraphrase the question as much as possible

Example:

1. The diagram below shows the process of photosynthesis.

=> The illustration demonstrates how plants produce energy from sunlight.

2. The diagram below shows how electricity is produced in a nuclear power station.

=> The illustration describes the process of a nuclear power station producing electricity.

=> The illustration depicts the process of how nuclear power plants generate electricity.

Note: There is no graphic or illustration in your essay, so you need to remove the word “below” in your Introduction.

Useful expressions for Introduction: The diagram(s) illustrate(s)/ highlight(s):

• the manufacturing process of + V_ing
• how + noun + is produced/ made/ manufactured
• the steps/ stages (and equipment) used/ involved in the production of + noun
• the process by which + noun + is produced/ made/ manufactured

OVERVIEW

Note: highlight outstanding features including

• How many stages are there?
• Where does the process start and where does it end?
• Is it a man-made or natural process?
• Is it cyclical or linear?
• Are there any special notes/ requirements?

Useful expressions for Overview:

• As can be seen, the production involves … stages, starting with … and ending with …
• Overall, it is clear from the illustration(s)/ diagram(s) that …
  • there are … steps/ stages in the production of/ process of making …/ the life cycle/ development of …, from + V_ing to + V_ing
  • the production/ process of producing + noun + includes/ consists of … main stages/ steps.
• Meanwhile/ Moreover, (only) … steps are required to produce … (*)

(*) Use this structure when the diagram describes 2 separate processes.

SIGNPOST LANGUAGE

The first step:

Firstly, / Initially, / In the beginning, / To begin with, + clause

The first step is when + clause / The first step is + V-ing

Production/ The cycle starts/ commences/ begins when + clause (with + V-ing)

E.g.       Firstly, tea leaves are hand-picked.

The first step is when tea leaves are picked by hand.

The first step is picking tea leaves by hand.

Production commences when plantation workers pick tea leaves manually.

The following steps:

Next, / After this, / Afterwards, / Following this, + clause

At the next phase of (the process/ the cycle), + clause

Gradually, / Overtime, + clause (more suitable for circular processes)

The next step is when + clause/ The following step is + V-ing

The process/ The cycle continues/ proceeds when + clause (with + V-ing)

E.g.       After this, fresh leaves are dried under the Sun.

At the next phase of the process, fresh leaves are dried under the Sun.

The next step is when fresh leaves are left under the Sun to dry.

The following step is drying fresh leaves using heat from the Sun.

The process continues when fresh leaves are sun-dried.

The last step:

Finally, /Eventually, / Lastly, / In the end, / In the last step, + clause

The last/ final step is when + clause/ + V-ing

The process concludes/ finishes/ completes when + clause (with + V-ing)

E.g.       Finally, tea packets are distributed to retailers.

The final step is when tea packets are distributed to retailers.

The process completes when tea packets are distributed to retailers.

COMPLEX GRAMMAR STRUCTURES

After / Before + being + past participle, + [clause]

E.g.: Tea leaves are harvested mechanically. Then, they are dried. (2 single sentences)

• After being harvested mechanically, tea leaves are dried. (1 complex sentence)

Having been + past participle, + [clause]

Eg: The beans are roasted at 350°C. After that, their shelves will be removed.

• Having been roasted at 350°C, the beans have their shelves removed.

Relative clause (where, when, which, who, that)

Eg: After that, salmon are delivered to the factory. There, they have their bones and skin removed.

• After that, salmon are delivered to the factory where they have their bones and skin removed.

Adverbial clause (…, V_ing…)

Eg: The wind will travel across the beach. This carries the sand to different parts of the coast.

• The wind will travel across the beach, carrying the sand to different parts of the coast.

EXTRA NOTES

• Try NOT to use personal pronouns, i.e., I/ you/ we/ they in Process essay
• Use PASSIVE VOICE instead

Example: The final product is packed in sterilized containers and dispatched to retail stores.

• Always use PRESENT SIMPLE tense in Process essay