What is an IELTS process diagram?
A process diagram is a type of Academic Writing Task 1 question that shows how something is made, produced, recycled, or transformed through a series of stages.
How is a process diagram different from a cycle?
A process has a clear starting point and a finished product, such as sugar production.
A cycle is continuous and repeats itself, such as the life cycle of a butterfly 🐛🦋 or the water cycle.
The language and steps that you use are basically the same.
How to describe a process diagram
The process diagram is nothing to be afraid of – in many ways it is much simpler than graphs and charts.
- Paraphrase the task question.
- Describe the stages in order.
- Use the Passive Voice where appropriate.
- Use a variety of linking words
- Write a clear overview.
- Check your word count
- Check your grammar
- Use logical linking words.
In this lesson, we’ll look at a Cambridge Past Paper example process about sugar cane production.
Need help with other non-chart Task 1 questions?
Inside my complete IELTS Task 1 Booster Course you’ll learn how to deal with
- Process diagrams
- Natural cycles
- Maps
- Floor plans
- Before-and-after developments
- Mixed diagrams
Example: The Sugar Cane Process
The diagram below shows the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Step 1: Paraphrase the task
What does “paraphrase the task” mean in IELTS Writing Task 1?
Paraphrasing means rewriting the question using different words while keeping the original meaning. In a process diagram, you should briefly explain what the diagram shows without copying the wording exactly.
The easiest way to paraphrase a process diagram
The safest approach is to keep the original sentence structure and replace a few key words with suitable synonyms.
Question:
The diagram below shows the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane.
Paraphrased version:
The diagram below illustrates the steps involved in the manufacture of sugar from sugar cane.
This approach is simple, accurate, and less likely to cause grammar errors.
Useful synonyms for process diagrams
- shows → illustrates, depicts, outlines
- process → procedure, production process
- making → producing, manufacturing
- stages → steps, phases
- manufacture → production
⚠️ Common mistake: changing too many words
Many candidates lose marks by trying to rewrite every word in the question. IELTS examiners do not expect a completely different sentence. A few accurate changes are enough.
Good paraphrasing:
The diagram illustrates the process used to produce sugar from sugar cane.
Poor paraphrasing:
This image portrays the complex method of creating sweet substances from agricultural plants.
The second example sounds unnatural and changes the meaning of the original task.
Check your verb agreement
One of the most common grammar mistakes is using the wrong verb form after singular and plural nouns.
✅ The diagram shows…
✅ The diagrams show…
✅ The image illustrates…
✅ The images illustrate…
Advanced paraphrasing using passive voice
Higher-scoring candidates often vary the sentence structure by using passive voice.
Question:
The diagram below shows the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane.
Advanced paraphrase:
The diagram illustrates how sugar cane is processed in order to produce sugar.
Or:
The diagram illustrates how sugar is produced from sugar cane.
Using passive structures helps create a more formal and academic style, which is particularly useful for process diagrams.
Grammar tip: countable and uncountable nouns
Be careful with subject-verb agreement.
✅ Sugar canes are processed.
✅ The plants are harvested.
✅ Sugar is produced.
✅ The juice is filtered.
Because sugar and juice are uncountable nouns, they normally take singular verbs.
IELTS examiner tip
Your introduction should only describe the diagram. Do not add opinions, reasons, or information that is not shown in the task. Save any extra details for the main body paragraphs.
Quick template
You can use this structure for almost any IELTS process diagram:
The diagram illustrates the process by which [product] is produced from [raw material].
Examples:
- The diagram illustrates the process by which sugar is produced from sugar cane.
- The diagram illustrates the process by which bricks are manufactured.
- The diagram illustrates how plastic bottles are recycled.
This template works for the vast majority of IELTS process diagram questions and is easy to adapt in the exam.
Step 2: Describe the stages
How do I describe the stages in an IELTS process diagram?
After writing your introduction, describe each stage of the process in the order shown in the diagram. Your goal is to explain how the product changes from the first stage to the final stage using clear, accurate language.
Most process diagrams are presented as a sequence of actions, so it is important to mention every major stage and avoid skipping any steps.
Use the verbs provided in the diagram
One of the easiest ways to describe a process is to use the labels shown in the diagram. These often contain the main verbs you need.
For example:
- growing
- harvesting
- crushing
- purifying
- drying
- cooling
Instead of copying these labels exactly, convert them into full sentences.
Why is passive voice useful?
Most IELTS process diagrams focus on what happens to a product rather than who performs the action. For this reason, passive voice is often the most natural choice.
| Diagram Label | Verb | Passive Form |
|---|---|---|
| growing | grow | are grown |
| harvesting | harvest | are harvested |
| crushing | crush | are crushed |
| purifying | purify | is purified |
| drying | dry | is dried |
Examples:
✅ The sugar canes are grown for between 12 and 18 months.
✅ The canes are harvested and transported to a factory.
✅ The juice is purified using a limestone filter.
Check singular and plural nouns
When using passive structures, make sure the verb agrees with the noun.
Plural nouns
✅ The sugar canes are crushed.
✅ The crystals are separated from the syrup.
Singular or uncountable nouns
✅ The juice is extracted.
✅ The syrup is heated.
✅ The sugar is dried and cooled.
This is one of the most common grammar mistakes in IELTS Writing Task 1, so check each verb carefully.
Can I use active voice as well?
Yes. Although passive voice is common in process diagrams, active voice can make your writing sound more natural and varied.
Examples:
✅ The farmer cuts the sugar cane by hand.
✅ The juice passes through a filter.
✅ The liquid turns into a thick syrup.
✅ The machine separates the sugar crystals from the remaining liquid.
A combination of active and passive structures often produces the most fluent description.
Useful sentence patterns for process diagrams
You do not need a different sentence structure for every stage. Reusing a few reliable patterns can help you write quickly and accurately in the exam.
assive patterns
- The canes are harvested.
- The juice is extracted.
- The liquid is heated.
- The crystals are separated from the syrup.
Active patterns
- The juice passes through a filter.
- The liquid turns into syrup.
- The process begins when the canes are harvested.
- The procedure ends when the sugar is packaged.
Example description
First, the sugar canes are grown until they reach maturity. They are then harvested either manually or mechanically. After being transported to a factory, the canes are crushed and the juice is extracted. The liquid is subsequently purified before being heated to form a thick syrup.
Notice how the stages are described in order and how passive structures help create a clear academic style.
IELTS examiner tip
Do not simply copy the labels from the diagram. Instead of writing:
❌ Growing. Harvesting. Crushing. Purifying.
Write:
✅ The sugar canes are grown before being harvested and transported to a factory, where they are crushed to extract the juice.
This demonstrates grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure, helping you achieve a higher band score.
Review: IELTS Grammar – Present Simple
Step 3. Use a variety of linking words
Why are linking words important in IELTS process diagrams?
Once you have identified the stages in the process, you need to connect them logically. Linking words help the examiner follow the sequence of events and improve the coherence of your answer.
One advantage of a process diagram is that the order of information is already given to you. Unlike graphs or charts, you do not need to decide how to organise the data. Instead, your job is to explain the stages clearly and logically.
Avoid overusing sequence linkers
Many candidates rely on a simple pattern:
Then… Next… Afterwards… After that… Finally…
Although this is accurate, using a different linking word at the beginning of every sentence can sound repetitive and mechanical.
For example:
The canes are harvested. Then they are transported to a factory. Next, they are crushed. Afterwards, the juice is purified. After that, it is heated. Finally, the sugar crystals are separated.
This version is correct, but it lacks variety.
Use linking words inside sentences
A more natural approach is to combine stages into longer sentences and place some linking expressions in the middle.
For example:
- the process by which sugar is produced
- the container in which the crystals are separated
- the factory where the juice is processed
- the syrup, which is then heated
- the canes are harvested before being transported
These structures improve cohesion without constantly starting sentences with a linking word.
Mechanical vs natural writing
Basic version
The sugar canes are harvested. Then they are transported to a factory. Next, they are crushed and the juice is extracted. Afterwards, the juice is purified. Finally, the sugar crystals are separated from the syrup.
Improved version
In the initial stages of the process, the sugar canes are harvested before being transported to a factory, where they undergo several treatments. The extracted juice, which is purified and subsequently heated, gradually forms a thick syrup. In the final stage, the sugar crystals are separated from the remaining liquid before being dried and cooled.
The second example uses fewer obvious linking words but sounds more fluent and academic.
Useful linking words for IELTS process diagrams
To show sequence
- Initially
- In the first stage
- First
- Next
- Subsequently
- Following this
- In the final stage
- Finally
To connect stages
- before
- after
- once
- when
- as soon as
- while
- during
Examples:
- Once the juice has been filtered, it is heated.
- After being crushed, the canes are processed further.
- When the mixture reaches the required temperature, it is removed.
To combine information
- which
- where
- by which
- in which
- resulting in
- leading to
Examples:
- The juice passes through a filter where impurities are removed.
- The liquid is heated, resulting in the formation of syrup.
- The process ends in a centrifuge, in which the crystals are separated.
Use “-ing” structures to increase complexity
One of the easiest ways to improve your grammar score is to use verb + ing clauses.
Examples:
- before being purified
- after leaving the factory
- following the extraction stage
- resulting in a thick syrup
- producing sugar crystals
These structures help you combine ideas and avoid writing a series of short sentences.
Example
Basic:
The juice is purified. Then it is heated. Then it becomes syrup.
More advanced:
The juice is purified before being heated, eventually producing a thick syrup.
IELTS Examiner Tip
You do not need to use lots of different linking words to get a high score. Instead, focus on combining stages naturally and accurately. A Band 7+ answer typically uses a mixture of:
- sequence language (initially, subsequently, finally)
- relative clauses (which, where, in which)
- -ing structures (before being processed, resulting in)
- passive voice (is transported, is purified)
This creates a smooth, logical description of the process without sounding repetitive.
Step 4. Write the overview
What is an overview in IELTS Writing Task 1?
The overview is a short summary of the most important features of the diagram. It shows the examiner that you understand the process as a whole rather than simply describing individual stages.
In IELTS Writing Task 1, the overview is the most important paragraph after the introduction. Without a clear overview, it is difficult to achieve a high score for Task Achievement.
What should an overview include?
For a process diagram, an effective overview usually mentions:
- the number of stages
- where the process begins
- where the process ends
- any notable features, such as the use of machinery or multiple routes
You do not need to describe every stage in detail. Save those details for the body paragraphs.
Example of a basic overview
A simple overview is perfectly acceptable if it accurately summarises the process.
Overall, the diagram shows how sugar is produced through a series of stages, beginning with the cultivation of sugar cane and ending with the production of the final sugar product.
This is short, clear, and fulfils the purpose of an overview.
Example of a stronger overview
Higher-scoring candidates often identify additional features of the process.
Overall, the process consists of seven stages, involving several pieces of specialist equipment to transform raw sugar cane into refined sugar ready for consumption.
This summary highlights both the number of stages and the overall transformation.
What makes a good overview?
A good overview focuses on the “big picture” rather than individual details.
Include:
✅ The starting point
✅ The final product
✅ The number of stages (if clear)
✅ Any significant features
Avoid:
❌ Precise measurements
❌ Detailed explanations of every stage
❌ Long lists of information
❌ Personal opinions
Common overview mistakes
1. No overview at all
Many candidates describe the stages but forget to provide an overall summary.
2. Writing too much detail
An overview should summarise the process, not repeat the body paragraphs.
Poor example:
Overall, the canes are harvested, transported, crushed, filtered, heated, separated, dried and cooled.
This simply lists the stages again.
3. Giving opinions
Task 1 is an objective reporting task.
Avoid sentences such as:
Overall, this is a very interesting process.
Overall, the method seems efficient.
The examiner only wants a factual summary.
Where should the overview go?
There are two common options:
Option 1: After the introduction
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Paragraph 2: Overview
Paragraph 3: Body
Paragraph 4: Body
This is the structure recommended by many IELTS teachers because the overview is immediately visible to the examiner.
Option 2: At the end
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Paragraph 2: Body
Paragraph 3: Body
Paragraph 4: Overview
This is also acceptable and is commonly used for process diagrams.
Both approaches can achieve a high band score as long as the overview is included.
Overview templates for process diagrams
You can adapt these templates for almost any IELTS process question.
Template 1
Overall, the process consists of ___ stages, beginning with ___ and ending with ___.
Template 2
Overall, the diagram illustrates how ___ is transformed into ___ through a series of stages.
Template 3
Overall, the production process involves several steps and pieces of equipment, resulting in the creation of ___.
Template 4
Overall, there are several stages in the process, starting with ___ and culminating in ___.
IELTS Examiner Tip
If you are running out of time, always write the overview before adding extra details to the body paragraphs. A concise overview is worth far more than several additional sentences describing minor stages. A strong one-sentence overview can significantly improve your Task Achievement score, whereas no overview at all is a serious weakness.
Step 5: Check your word count
How many words should an IELTS process diagram answer contain?
IELTS requires a minimum of 150 words for Writing Task 1. If your answer is under this limit, you risk losing marks for Task Achievement.
One challenge with process diagrams is that they often contain relatively little information compared with graphs or charts. As a result, even a well-written description can be too short.
The diagram shows the steps in the process of manufacturing sugar from sugar cane. Canes which have been growing for between 12 and 18 months are harvested either by machine or by hand, using a machete. The canes are then placed in a crushing machine which extracts the juice.This juice is purified by passing it through a limestone filter. The filtered juice is then placed in an evaporator in which the juice is heated to drive off the water content, leaving behind the syrup. Following this, the syrup is separated in a centrifuge – a process which separates the sugar crystals from the syrup. Finally, the sugar is dried and cooled ready for packaging.
Despite being accurate and grammatically correct, this response contains only around 116 words (minus the words in the diagram), making it underlength.
Why are process diagram answers often too short?
Candidates are usually limited to the information shown in the diagram. Unlike a graph, there may be few figures, categories, or comparisons to discuss.
For this reason, it is important to:
- describe every major stage
- include an overview
- use a variety of grammatical structures
- add relevant detail where appropriate
How can I increase my word count naturally?
A good IELTS answer should be developed, not padded. The aim is to add useful information that helps explain the process more clearly.
1. Explain the purpose of a stage
Where the purpose is obvious, you can briefly explain why something happens.
Examples:
- The juice is filtered in order to remove impurities.
- The liquid is heated to reduce its water content.
- The sugar is dried to remove excess moisture.
2. Add details shown in the diagram
Small details can make your writing more precise.
Examples:
- harvested by hand using a machete
- transported to a nearby processing plant
- stored in a large container
- heated in a specialised evaporator
3. Use descriptive adjectives
Simple adjectives can help make your writing more specific.
Examples:
- a thick syrup
- a large container
- a specialised machine
- the final product
4. Use past-participle adjectives
These are particularly useful in process diagrams because they describe products after a stage has been completed.
Examples:
- the filtered juice
- the purified liquid
- the extracted material
- the dried sugar crystals
5. Combine stages into more complex sentences
Rather than writing several short sentences, connect ideas together.
Basic:
The juice is filtered. Then it is heated. Then it becomes syrup.
Improved:
The filtered juice is subsequently heated, producing a thick syrup once much of the water has evaporated.
This increases both your word count and your grammatical range.
What should I avoid?
Do not:
❌ Add personal opinions.
❌ Invent information that contradicts the diagram.
❌ Write long explanations about topics not shown.
❌ Add irrelevant facts to increase the word count.
For example:
This sugar could be used in cakes, biscuits and desserts.
This may be true, but unless the diagram shows end uses, many examiners would consider it unnecessary.
IELTS Examiner Tip
If your answer is below 150 words, look for opportunities to add relevant details, clearer explanations, and more precise vocabulary, rather than simply adding extra sentences. Candidates aiming for Band 7+ often expand their descriptions by explaining the function of each stage and using more specific language, while still remaining faithful to the information shown in the diagram.
Language for process diagrams
Less common linking words
- The process starts (with, when)
- In the first stage/initial stages…
- The first step is to…
- The process continues until (it forms/it reaches the desired consistency).
- It undergoes further processing to (remove any remaining impurities)
- Once this stage is complete, …
- After completion of this stage, …
- The next step is …
- Once/When/As soon as this has finished,…
- The process culminates/ends (in)
Language related to processes
- The process involves (+ing verb)
- The process consists of (5 stages)
- This requires (specialist machinery/ a device)
- This is done mostly by hand/mechanically/by machine.
- The procedure is (mostly) automated.
- This is achieved by a process of (steaming)
- Production is largely mechanised.
- This is a relatively simple process.
- This is a lengthy, complicated, time-consuming, energy-efficient, energy-intensive process.
- Ready for …..packaging, consumption, sale, distribution
- The final product
- To manufacture the final product
- Which results in…
- Resulting in…
- It is boiled until it (thickens)
- Ready to be consumed, used, sent, packaged
- Overall there are (7) stages/steps in the process, beginning with ______ and culminating in ________.
Other useful vocabulary
(Plants) are
- picked, harvested, cut down, gathered, collected, sorted
- transported, taken, moved, sent to
- placed/put into, fed through
- washed, cleaned, purified
- chopped, shredded, cut up, cut into small pieces
- dried, crushed, ground
- blended, squeezed
- discarded, removed
Liquids are
- heated, boiled
- filtered
- concentrated/condensed
- treated with (lime)
- poured into
Materials are
- bleached, dyed
- polished , smoothed, ironed, softened
- soaked, washed, submerged
- made into, transformed into
- added
- combined, mixed
Products are
- placed onto (a conveyor belt)
- placed into (an oven, a kiln)
- packed, bagged, labelled, delivered
- transported, taken to, shipped
- ready to be used
🚜 A machine (a piece of machinery), a device, a roller, a grinder, a mould, a cutter, a mixer
🪓 a tool, a gadget
🏭 A factory, a refinery, a workshop, a mill
🛢️ A container, vat, pot
Common mistake: using 'a' and 'the'
Many IELTS candidates lose marks by forgetting articles or using the wrong one.
Fortunately, there is a simple rule that works for most process diagrams:
Use ‘a’ or zero article when mentioning something for the first time. Use “the” when the reader already knows which thing you are referring to.
First mention vs second mention
When you introduce a product, material, machine or location for the first time, it is usually new information.
First mention:
- The diagram shows how sugar is produced from sugar cane(s).
- The sugar canes are taken to a factory.
When you mention the same thing again, it becomes specific.
Second mention:
- The sugar canes are harvested after reaching maturity.
- In the factory, the canes are crushed.
Because the reader already knows which factory, filter or sugar canes you mean, the is normally required.
Using ‘a’ and ‘the’ with equipment
This pattern is extremely common in process diagrams.
First mention:
- The juice is heated in a large container.
- The liquid is passed through a filter.
- The syrup is placed in a centrifuge.
Second mention:
- In the container, much of the water evaporates.
- The filter removes unwanted particles.
- The centrifuge separates the sugar crystals from the syrup.
Examples from a process diagram
First mention
The diagram illustrates how sugar is produced from sugar cane.
The harvested canes are transported to a factory.
Later mention
In the factory, the sugar canes are crushed to extract the juice.
The juice is then purified before being heated.
Notice how ‘the’ appears much more frequently after the first mention because the reader already knows which canes, factory and juice are being discussed.
Model Answer
The diagram shows how sugar is produced from sugar cane(s).
The journey begins with the sugar canes being grown on the farm, over a period of around a year to eighteen months. As soon as the canes are ripe, they are harvested/gathered/collected either manually/by hand with a machete, or mechanically/by machine with specialized equipment. Once harvested, the canes/stalks are transported to a sugar mill/refinery where they are crushed (in a grinder) in order to extract the juice.
The extracted juice is then filtered using limestone to remove any impurities. The clarified juice is concentrated by boiling it in a large container/vat, producing a thick syrup once most of the liquid has evaporated. This syrup is then spun in a centrifuge to separate the sugar crystals from the remaining liquid. The resulting raw sugar is dried to remove excess moisture, and is left to cool before being packaged ready for consumption and use in cooking and baking.
Overall the process consists of seven stages, involving several pieces of specialist equipment to produce sugar of a desired quality for household use.
168 words
Practice
Common IELTS Process Diagram topics
🏭 Manufacturing Processes
- Sugar production
- Cement and concrete production
- Brick manufacturing
- Leather goods production
♻️ Recycling Processes
- Recycling plastic bottles
- Waste processing systems
⚡️ Energy Production Processes
- Hydroelectric power generation
- Geothermal energy production
- Coal-based energy generation
🍜 Food Production Processes
- How instant noodles are manufactured
- Agricultural production processes
Practising a range of process diagrams will help you build vocabulary for materials, machinery, energy, manufacturing and natural processes.
FAQS
How do I describe a process diagram in IELTS Task 1?
Use four steps:
- Paraphrase the question.
- Write an overview.
- Describe the stages in sequence.
- Use a mixture of passive and active structures.
Should I use present tense in IELTS process diagrams?
Yes. Most IELTS process diagrams are described using the present simple tense, often in passive forms such as “the material is heated” and “the product is transported“.
Do I need passive voice?
Passive voice is not compulsory, but it is very useful because most process diagrams focus on actions rather than people. For example, “the sugar is heated” is usually more appropriate than “workers heat the sugar.“
How many paragraphs should a process diagram answer have?
A typical Band 7+ answer contains:
- Introduction
- Overview
- Body paragraph 1
- Body paragraph 2
Should I describe every stage?
Yes. You should mention all major stages shown in the diagram and present them in the correct order. Missing stages can reduce your Task Achievement score.
Do I need a conclusion?
No. IELTS Task 1 requires an overview, not a conclusion. Your overview should summarise the key features of the process without adding new information.
How long should the answer be?
You must write at least 150 words. A good target is usually around 160 to 190 words, which gives you enough space to describe all stages clearly.
Can I give my own opinion?
No. Task 1 is a factual description task, so you should not include opinions, personal experiences, or speculation. Focus only on the information shown in the diagram.
Are process diagrams common in IELTS?
Process diagrams are less common than graphs and charts, but they appear regularly in the Academic IELTS exam. It is important to prepare for them because they require different language and organisational skills.
Learn more: Cycles, Processes and Maps
If you need extra practice with:
- Manufacturing processes
- Natural cycles
- Maps and urban development
- Floor plans
- Future development diagrams
you can access a growing library of model answers and video lessons in the Resource Library.
👉 Popular Resource Library Lessons
Natural Cycles
Manufacturing Processes
Maps and development Diagrams
Worried about cycles and maps too?
Process diagrams are only one type of non-chart Task 1 question. Common Writing Task 1 questions are about
- Natural Cycles
- Maps and Floor plans
- Evolution diagrams
The IELTS Task 1 Extension Course teaches a simple framework for answering all of these question types confidently.
About Fiona
Fiona is an IELTS trainer, ex-examiner and course creator based in the UK. She has a Master’s in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Distinction) and over 35 years of teaching experience. She has helped thousands of IELTS candidates develop the language and exam skills needed to achieve their target scores.
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