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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

Task 1 lesson map

Move between response structure, visual analysis and full-task practice without losing your place.

09of 14

Build the response
Read the visual
Strengthen and apply
← Task 1Task 1 / Processes

⚙️ Sub-skill 5 — Processes

Process diagrams

Processes require the passive voice and sequencing language. Convert each active step into the passive and choose the correct sequencer.

Official format versus WeLearn strategy

Official format: IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 may ask you to describe a process as visual information. A process is a possible input, not a separate official section.

WeLearn strategy: We isolate processes because they require passive grammar, time order and no personal opinion.

Task 1 visual types

Identify the visual before practising a sub-skill.

The response structure changes with the input: a line graph requires trend language, a table requires grouping, a process requires sequencing and a map requires spatial transformation. This guide connects the official IELTS format with the WeLearn teaching strategy.

Line graph

Changes over time

Overview: Look for the dominant trend, line crossing, peak, fall or convergence.

Body: Group the timeline into meaningful periods: start, rapid change, stability or finish.

rose steadily, peaked at, declined gradually, overtook, remained stable

Practise this visual type →

Bar chart

Comparisons between categories

Overview: Look for the highest or lowest category and the clearest contrast.

Body: Group similar categories instead of describing every bar separately.

higher than, whereas, considerably lower, the largest proportion

Practise this visual type →

Pie charts

Parts of a whole

Overview: Look for the dominant segment and distribution changes when two charts are shown.

Body: Compare large and small proportions without listing every slice.

accounted for, made up, represented, the smallest share

Practise this visual type →

Table

Dense row-and-column data

Overview: Look for extremes, row or column patterns and categories that form groups.

Body: Turn the table into two logical groups before writing.

the figure for, respectively, by contrast, across all categories

Practise this visual type →

Process diagram

Production stages or a cycle

Overview: Mention the number of stages and whether the process is linear or cyclical.

Body: Use the passive voice and chronological order; do not invent reasons.

is collected, is heated, after this, subsequently, finally

Practise this visual type →

Map

Spatial changes over time

Overview: Look for overall development, replacements, expansion or reduction.

Body: Organise the response by zones or by before-and-after changes.

was replaced by, was converted into, to the north of, adjacent to

Practise this visual type →

Mixed chart

Two connected visuals

Overview: Find the relationship between the visuals instead of treating them as separate tasks.

Body: Use one paragraph per visual or group them around a shared relationship.

while, in relation to, this corresponded with, a similar pattern

Practise this visual type →

IELTS-style visual reference

WeLearn five-stage process diagram showing how plastic bottles are recycled.

Passive voice

Subject + is/are + past participle
“The material is heated”
“Water is pumped”

Sequencers

First · Then · Next · After that · Subsequently · Once · Before · Finally

1/5

Process

How plastic bottles are recycled

1.

Active: Workers collect used bottles from public recycling bins

2.

Active: Workers separate plastic from other materials

3.

Active: Workers wash the bottles before cutting them into flakes

4.

Active: Machines heat the flakes and turn them into pellets

5.

Active: Manufacturers mould the pellets into new products

WeLearn progressive engine

Practise process writing by level

These processes are not the five you write about above, so no model paragraph on this page gives the answer away. Start with the visual story, then control sequence and passive grammar before building a complete process overview.

Level 1 · Recognise process structure

Exercise 1 of 4

“A diagram shows five stages that turn waste paper into new sheets. Which overview is aligned?”

Choose an option first
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