Academic Writing Task 1 · process diagram

The Production Process of Instant Coffee for Retail Sale: 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.
  • 177 words
  • Process diagrams
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The diagram below shows how coffee is produced and prepared for sale in supermarkets and shops.

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

  1. 1.Pick the coffee beans
  2. 2.Dry them
  3. 3.Roast the beans
  4. 4.Cool them rapidly
  5. 5.Grind them
  6. 6.Mix with hot water
  7. 7.Strain the mixture
  8. 8.Freeze the mixture
  9. 9.Grind the frozen liquid
  10. 10.Dry it in a vacuum
  11. 11.Pack into jars

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 8177 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The provided diagram illustrates the various stages involved in the production of instant coffee, from the initial harvesting of beans to the final packaging for retail sale. Overall, the process is linear and consists of eleven distinct steps, transitioning from raw agricultural produce to a refined, shelf-ready product.

The process commences with the picking of coffee beans, which are subsequently dried under the sun. Once dried, the beans undergo a roasting phase, followed by rapid cooling. The roasted beans are then ground and combined with hot water. This mixture is strained to remove solids, after which the resulting liquid is frozen.

In the final stages, the frozen liquid is ground into smaller particles and subjected to a vacuum-drying process, which removes water content. This method ensures the coffee is preserved for long-term storage. Finally, the processed coffee is packed into jars, ready for distribution to supermarkets and shops. The entire sequence highlights the transformation of raw coffee cherries into the convenient instant coffee format commonly found in retail environments, emphasising the technical nature of modern food processing.

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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.
  • commences

    to begin or start a specific process

  • subsequently

    happening after something else in a sequence

  • linear

    arranged in a straight or sequential order

  • transformation

    a thorough or dramatic change in form

  • distinct

    recognizably different in nature from something else

  • emphasising

    giving special importance or prominence to something

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The production of instant coffee is a complex multi-stage process that begins with harvesting raw beans and concludes with vacuum-drying and packaging the final product.

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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