PROCESS

LESSON OVERVIEW

1.​ Understand how to approach a Process task through step-by-step guidance.

2.​ Distinguish between the two main types of Process tasks.
3.​ Grasp the four marking criteria and their application in a task

MANUFACTURING PROCESS

KEY TASK

Diagram 1: The diagram shows how instant noodles are manufactured.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.
(Adapted from Cambridge 15 - Test 3)
HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION

1.​ The diagram illustrates the process of instant noodle production.

2.​ The diagram illustrates the process of how instant noodles are produced.

Note: There is no one-size-fits-all method for writing introductions. Since Process types can be
quite diverse, it is a good idea to try out and consider different techniques.

HOW TO WRITE AN OVERVIEW

1)​ The total number of steps or stages involved in the task

STEP STAGE

Definition A small part of a process or project A major part of a process or project

-> A stage can include multiple steps

Time Typically involves a shorter timeframe Usually extends over a longer period

Example -​ Step 1 - complete the task (60 -​ Stage 1 - get acquainted with
minutes) IELTS (1 month)
-​ Step 2 - check the answers (20 -​ Stage 2 - practice and take
minutes) exams (6 months)
-​ Step 3 - learn new vocabulary -​ Stage 3 - enhance English
(2 hours) skills (1 year)
With Diagram 1, we have:

2)​ Characteristics of the stages

Sometimes, stages may have something in common. For instance, in Diagram 1, all the stages
involve machinery.
However, there are also times when stages differ, whether in terms of the environment (e.g.
indoor/outdoor) or appearance (e.g. colors, shapes), and we will go into these differences in the
next part of the lesson.

3)​ The total time needed to complete the process

Example:
●​ Step 1: Completing the task takes 60 minutes.
●​ Step 2: Checking the answers consumes 20 minutes.
●​ Step 3: Learning new vocabulary demands 2 hours.
=> In total, the test would typically require around 3 hours or even more to finish.
 OVERVIEW
1) the number of stages + 2) the characteristics of each stage + 3) the total time

Diagram 1:
Overall, 1) the entire process is fully automated, 2) comprising a total of eight steps that can be
categorized into three stages: material preparation, processing, and packaging.

EXERCISE 1: The Words In Bold Contain Incorrect Information. Correct Them. You May
Make Any Changes You Wish

Order Sentences Correction

e.g. The diagram illustrates the process of instant ramen. noodles

1 The diagram depicts the process of how instant

noodles are made from potatoes.

2 The picture shows how people make instant noodles.

3 Overall, there are eight linear steps in the process,

starting with delivering flour to silos and then ending
with instant noodles being delivered to the market.

4 Overall, this is a very time-consuming process with

eight steps in total.

5 Overall, this process contains eight circular stages .

It is also important to note that the process contains
different materials, from oil to vegetables.

Key Takeaways
-​ Include the total number of steps or stages.
-​ Understand the difference between "steps" and "stages."
-​ Recognize similarities or differences among stages.
-​ Add up the time for each step or stage to find the overall process duration.
HOW TO WRITE BODY PARAGRAPHS

Tips for Task Achievement

Do not add any UNNECESSARY details

Example:
"Firstly, the trucks quickly bring the flour to spacious and big silos. These keep the flour in
good condition. Then, the farmers put the flour in an expensive mixer with water and oil. This
makes the flour easy to shape. After that, the mixer makes flat dough sheets, which they cut
into long, skinny strips. After this, they make noodle discs that look like the noodles you see in
ads on social media."

Consider self-asking these questions if you find your answer falling short of the word minimum:
1.​ What is the purpose of the step discussed?
2.​ What comparisons can you include?
3.​ What changes can you make to avoid overusing linking words at the beginning of
the sentences?

Tips for Coherence and Cohesion

1)​ Linking words

a.​ Simple sentences
-​ Firstly, trucks transport flour to silos.
-​ Subsequently/Then/Next, the flour is put into a mixer.
-​ Finally, water and oil are added.
-​ Afterward, the mixture goes through different steps.

b.​ Complex/compound sentences

-​ Trucks transport the flour, which is then stored in silos.
-​ After being stored, the flour will be put into a mixer.
-​ The flour is put into a mixer, followed by a mixing process.
-​ Once this is done, the mixture goes through four other steps.
-​ When these steps are done, the products are labeled and sealed.
EXERCISE 2: Based On The Information In Diagram 1, Evaluate The Suitability Of The Words
In Bold. Correct The Words That Are Not Suitable

Order Sentences Suitable Unsuitable Correction

e.g. After being put into silos, the X Before

flour is stored in trucks.

1 Once the flour is mixed with

water and oil, we have pliable
dough.

2 Before the dough is rolled into

sheets, it is cut into uniform
strips.

3 When the strips are made, they

are shaped into circular discs.

4 Subsequently, the discs are

cooked in oil.

5 The oil-cooking process is

preceded by a drying process.

2) Zigzag structure

Before being put into silos, the flour is stored 62 words in length, yet it contains 7 linking
in trucks. Next, the flour is mixed with water words
and oil, then we have a pliable dough. After => UNNATURAL
the dough is rolled into sheets, it is cut into
Band 6 essays: "cohesive devices may be
uniform strips. When the strips are made,
faulty or mechanical due to misuse, overuse"
they are shaped into circular discs.
(Band Descriptors by British Council)
Subsequently, the discs are cooked in oil.
Finally, the discs are dried.

The flour is delivered to silos by trucks. It is Band 9: "cohesion is used in such a way that
then mixed with water and oil to create pliable it very rarely attracts attention"
dough, which will be rolled into sheets and
cut into uniform strips. These strips are
subsequently shaped into circular discs,
followed by a cooking and drying process

SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPHS

EXERCISE 3: Read The Following Paragraphs And Fulfill The Requirements

(1) Firstly, the flour is transported by truck to silo. (2) After that, it is released into a mixer,
along with water and oil as well. (3) After this stage, the mixture is rebuilt into dough sheets,
and they are cut into strips. (4) Following this, these strips are changed into noodle discs.

(5) At the following stage, the noodle discs are cooked in oil and dry. (6) Afterward, they are
put into cups, and vegetables and spices are also added to the cup as well. (7) Finally, the cups
are labelled and sealed.

a.​ Addressing grammar issues: Correct the words in bold in sentences (1) and (5).
(1) silo →...................................
(5) dry →...................................

b.​ Addressing vocabulary issues: Revise the words in bold in sentences (2), (3), and (4).

(2) released → ...................................

(3) rebuilt → ...................................
(4) changed → ...................................

EXERCISE 4: Addressing Coherence And Cohesion Issues

1.​ Revise sentence (2) using "which"

→.....................................
2.​ Revise sentence (3) using "before"
→.....................................
 BAND 9

There are two steps involved in material preparation. Firstly, trucks transport the flour, which
is then stored in silos. The flour is subsequently put into a mixer, where it is combined with
water and oil.

During the processing stage, the mixture undergoes four different steps. Rollers are first
employed to transform the mixture into thin dough sheets, which are cut into strips. These
strips are then shaped into circular noodle discs, followed by immersion in oil and a drying
process.

Once the processing stage is complete, the noodle discs are placed into cups, along with
vegetables and spices. Finally, the cups are labeled and sealed, marking the conclusion of the
process.

EXERCISE 5: Answer The Following Questions

1.​ How many paragraphs are there in the BAND 9 version? What is the purpose of each
paragraph?
2.​ Highlight the zigzag structures in this version.
3.​ Identify instances where passive voice was replaced with active voice in this version.

FULL ESSAY

The diagram illustrates the process of instant noodle production. Overall, the entire process is
fully automated, comprising a total of eight steps that can be categorized into three stages:
material preparation, processing, and packaging.

There are two steps involved in material preparation. Firstly, trucks transport the flour, which is
then stored in silos. The flour is subsequently put into a mixer, where it is combined with water
and oil for the next stage.

During the processing stage, the mixture undergoes four different steps. Rollers are first
employed to transform the mixture into thin dough sheets, which are cut into strips. These strips
are then shaped into circular noodle discs, followed by immersion in oil and a drying process.
Once the processing stage is complete, the noodle discs are placed into cups, along with
vegetables and spices to enhance the flavor. Finally, the cups are labeled and sealed, marking the
conclusion of the process.

[153 words]

NATURAL PROCESS

Diagram 2: The diagrams below show the life cycle of a species of large fish called the
salmon.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
(Adapted from Cambridge 10, Test 4)
INTRODUCTION
Graph type Verb What

Question The diagrams show the life cycle of a large species called the
salmon.

Paraphrased (using The diagrams illustrate how the salmon, a species of large fish,
synonyms) goes through its life cycle.

OVERVIEW

Diagram 2:
1.​ The total number of stages: 3
2.​ The characteristics of the stages: through each stage, the fish will live in different water
environments, with different names and sizes
3.​ The total time required for the process to complete: 5-6 months (stage 1) + 4 years
$stage 2) + 5 years (stage 3) = approximately 10 years.

EXERCISE 6: With This Information, Write An Overview For Diagram 2

BODY PARAGRAPHS

EXERCISE 7: Read A Version Of The Body Paragraphs For Diagram 2 And Answer The
Questions

First, the parent salmon put their eggs upper river (slow-moving). They carefully put the eggs
under reeds and small stones. Next, the eggs turn into tiny fish whose names are 'fry'. The 'fry'
can be three to eight centimeters in length. Then, they swim to the lower river (fast-flowing),
and they stay there for roughly four years. During this period, they can reach 12 to 15
centimeters. However, they are no longer called 'fry', but 'smolt.'

In the following stage, the smolts swim to the open sea, and live there for about 5 years.
During this period, the smolts increase their length from 12-15cm to a whopping 70-76cm. It is
worth noting that they are named 'adult salmon' from then on. At the end of the process, the
salmon swim back to the upper river (slow-moving), and they put eggs there. Finally, the eggs
will turn into smolts, which marks the beginning of a new cycle.

Criteria Questions Yes No

1. Task Achievement Did this version include

important features of the
diagram?

2. Coherence and Did this version employ a

Cohesion variety of cohesive devices?

3. Lexical Resource Did this version employ

appropriate and precise
language to convey the
information?

4. Grammatical Range Did this version show a

and Accuracy variety of grammar?
SAMPLE ESSAY

The diagrams illustrate different stages in the life cycle of a salmon.

Overall, the cycle consists of three main stages, with the key differences being the names used
for the fish and their living environments. The entire process lasts around ten years.

The salmon's life cycle starts with the hatching of eggs, which are laid among the reeds and
small stones in the slow-moving upper river. Approximately five to six months later, these eggs
hatch into 'fry'. After reaching 3 to 8 centimeters in length, the fry migrate to the fast-flowing
lower river, where they spend the next four years gradually transforming into 'smolts.'

The smolts experience significant physical growth, reaching lengths of approximately 12 to 15

centimeters. They then depart from the lower river and move to the open sea. During their
five-year stay in the open sea, they achieve their full length of 70 to 76 centimeters. At this stage,
they have distinct red coloring and are referred to as 'adult salmon.' The mature salmon then
return to their birthplace, the upper river, to start the reproduction process, initiating the start of a
new cycle.

[187 words]
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE

EXERCISE 1: Write a full essay for Diagram 3

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
You should spend 20 minutes on this task.
EXERCISE 2: Read The Following Essay And Answer The Question

Diagram 4: The diagram shows the development of the cutting tool in the Stone Age.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.
(Real Test on 28/11/2020)

The diagram illustrates the development of cutting tools from 1.4 million years ago to 0.8 million
years ago during the Stone Age.

The key differences between the cutting tools of these two time periods lie in their shape, size,
and functionality, with the more recent version being slightly larger and notably sharper, thus
becoming a more effective cutting instrument overall.

Tool A, dating back 1.4 million years, was rudimentary and small, measuring approximately 7-8
centimeters in length. These tools resembled natural stones, with noticeable differences between
their front and back ends. The surface and the top appeared rough and blunt, lacking chiseling
efforts of cutting instruments.

Tool B, emerging around 0.8 million years ago, featured several updates. It was larger, around 10
centimeters in length, and had a more polished teardrop-shaped design with a wider base and a
pointier tip. The surface of Tool B was also more consistent and smoother on both its front and
back sides, contributing to its enhanced cutting capabilities.

[164 words]

Criteria Questions Yes No

1. Task Achievement Did this version include

important features of the
diagram?

2. Coherence and Did this version employ a

Cohesion variety of cohesive devices?

3. Lexical Resource Did this version employ

appropriate and precise
language to convey the
information?
4. Grammatical Range Did this version show a
and Accuracy variety of grammar?