Writing Task 1 Sample Answer- Process Question

Here is a band 9 IELTS task 2 sample answer for you about the process of silk production.

In the IELTS writing task 1 you may get one of 7 questions.

  1. Bar Chart
  2. Line Graph
  3. Pie Chart
  4. Table
  5. Progressive Bar Chart
  6. Map
  7. Process Diagram

You could also get a combination of these and be asked to compare them.

Today we will look at a process diagram, featuring the life cycle of the silkworm and the production of silk cloth.

IELTS writing task 1 sample process
This question is interesting because it has two different stages and this will affect our answer structure and grammar.

With this kind of question I would use the following structure.

Paragraph 1

Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question

We simply take the question and use synonyms to paraphrase it. The examiner will be looking for your ability to do this in the exam.

Paragraph 2

Sentence 1- Overview of stage 1

Sentence 2- Overview of stage 2

Write two general things about the diagram. You could include such things as how many stages there are, the outcomes, the beginning and the end, if it is a natural or man-made process or if the process is cyclical or linear.

Paragraph 3

Sentence 1- Details of stage 1

Sentence 2- Details of stage 1

Sentence 3- Details of stage 1

Take the general statement you made in paragraph 2 and support them with details from the diagram. Remember to only use the information you can see in the diagram. Do not draw conclusions or give your opinion. Repeat with the next paragraph.

Paragraph 4

Sentence 1- Details of stage 2

Sentence 2- Details of stage 2

Sentence 3- Details of stage 2

Grammar- The Passive

When describing any of the chart questions you shouldn’t use the passive, but when describing a process you may have to.

However, the passive is only used to describe man-made processes. If you are given a natural process you should use the active, rather than the passive.

Therefore, in this answer I will use the active to describe the life cycle and use the passive to describe the manufacture of silk.

Sample Answer

The graphic illustrates the life process of the silkworm and the phases in the manufacture of silk material.

Overall, the lifecycle is a natural process and contains four cyclical phases, beginning with the laying of eggs and ending with the birth of a new moth from a cocoon. The production of silk is, in contrast to the previous stage, a man-made linear process comprising of 6 main stages.

To begin with, eggs are produced by the moth and it takes 10 days for the eggs to hatch into silkworm larvae that feed on mulberry leaves. This stage takes between 4 and 6 weeks before the worms construct a cocoon from silk thread, taking approximately one week. They stay there for around a fortnight, subsequently emerging as moths and the process can begin again.

The first stage in the manufacture of silk is the selection of cocoons and these are then boiled. Once boiled, the silk thread is unwound to a length of between 300 and 900 meters. Finally, the silk can be twisted and weaved into cloth before being dyed.

(180 words)




Writing Task 1

Writing Task 2






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  1. Archana says

    Hi Chris, I did go through your excellent instructions and the sample answer. I would like to ask just one question, which I want to make sure about. You have mentioned that one should not make or give any conclusions in a process essay. It ends with the paragraph with details of the process?

  2. Maisaa says

    Hi, I was wondering if I that essay for candidates Academic or Gereral training? Either if I could apply all those stunning instructions in my IELTS exam? Or those have related for this site only?

    1. christopherpell444 says

      Hi Maisaa. This question is for the academic part of the test. Candidates are asked to write a letter for general. Please feel free to use any of the materials.

  3. Lemuelle Bryan Corsame says

    Lemuelle Bryan Corsame
    Writing Task 1 IELTS Prep: Process diagram, featuring the life cycle of the silkworm and the production of silk cloth.

    The picture below describes the life cycle of the silkworm and the phases in the fabrication of silk cloth.

    Overall, the life cycle of the silkworm has 4 stages; it begins with laying of eggs and ends with biological formation of new moth from a cocoon. On the other hand, it is a man-made process of the production of silk cloth takes about 6 stages from the selections of excellent cocoon and ends with the final product of weave to make clothes.

    To begin with, laying of eggs from an adult female moth into the leaf. It takes 10 days to transform into silkworm. The silkworm will feed to the mulberry leaf to develop. About 4-6 weeks the silkworm form into larva with silk thread wrap around them. Approximately, 3-8 days larva and silk thread is mature enough they will change into cocoon. After 16 days a develop cocoon will biological form a new moth and the process begin again.

    The production of silk cloth started from the selection of excellent cocoon. After the selection process, it passed into the boiling process. Once boiled, the silk thread unwound to 300 to 900 meters. The silk threads are twisted and weaved into cloth before being dyed for color.

    (207 words) Kindly check for corrections and improvement..

    1. christopherpell444 says

      Hi Lemuelle. Your structure and paragraphing are very good and you have included all of the main features, so well done. Be careful not to include discourse markers if you are not sure what they mean. In this case ‘on the other hand’ is inappropriate. Finally, check your grammar for mistakes, there are a few issues with articles, plurals and tenses.

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