Academic Writing Task 1 · process diagram

The Production Process of Fresh and Concentrated Orange Juice: IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 1 process diagram question with a Band 8 sample answer, the chart redrawn with its data, the vocabulary that lifts the report and how to write about process diagrams.
  • 176 words
  • Process diagrams
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The diagram below shows how orange juice is produced.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Orange Juice Production Process
  1. 1.Fresh oranges arrive at factory
  2. 2.Oranges are washed
  3. 3.Oranges are extracted
  4. 4.Waste solids are separated for animal feed
  5. 5.Fresh juice is obtained
  6. 6.Fresh juice is packaged and sent to shops
  7. 7.Fresh juice is transported by refrigerator truck for evaporation
  8. 8.Water is removed to create concentrate juice
  9. 9.Concentrate is canned and transported to warehouse
  10. 10.Concentrate is sent to factory to be mixed with water
  11. 11.Final product is packaged and sent to shops

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8176 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The provided diagram illustrates the industrial process involved in the production of orange juice, detailing two distinct pathways: the manufacturing of fresh juice and the creation of concentrated juice. Both processes begin with the delivery of fresh oranges to a factory, where they are washed and subsequently extracted.

Once the oranges are extracted, the process diverges. In the first pathway, the extracted liquid is immediately processed as fresh juice, which is then packaged and distributed directly to shops. Simultaneously, the solid waste resulting from the extraction is repurposed as animal feed.

Alternatively, the fresh juice can be transported via refrigerator truck to an evaporation facility. Here, water is removed to produce a concentrated juice, which is then canned and stored in a warehouse. This concentrate is later transported to another factory, where it is reconstituted with water, packaged, and finally sent to retail shops. Overall, while both methods share the initial stages of cleaning and extraction, the concentrated juice pathway involves additional steps of evaporation, canning, and reconstitution, whereas the fresh juice route is more direct.

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Process diagrams

How to write about process diagrams: tips and vocabulary

  • →Say how many stages there are and where the process starts and ends.
  • →Use the passive and sequencers: first, after this, once, finally.
  • →Keep every stage; a missing step costs task achievement.
  • diverges

    to separate and move in different directions

  • culminating

    reaching the highest point or final stage

  • repurposed

    adapted for a different use or purpose

  • reconstituted

    restored to a former state by adding water

  • simultaneously

    occurring or operating at the same time

  • pathway

    a specific route or course of action

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The diagram illustrates two distinct pathways for orange juice production, starting with the delivery of fresh fruit and culminating in either fresh or concentrated juice being sold in shops.

How many words and how long for IELTS Writing Task 1?+

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How is IELTS Writing Task 1 scored?+

On four criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. A clear overview of the main features is what most separates Band 6 from Band 7 and above.

How do I describe process diagrams?+

Say how many stages there are and where the process starts and ends. Use the passive and sequencers: first, after this, once, finally. Keep every stage; a missing step costs task achievement.

Keep practising

More process diagrams

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