How to prepare for IELTS – Writing 8
How to do Task 1 – Processes and flow charts · Spend about 5 minutes studying the flow chart or diagram and
preparing your answer.
· Make sure you understand what the important stages of the flow
chart or diagram are and that you know what order they all come in.
Find a place to begin and work your way through or around the
diagram or chart.
· You will need to include all the stages in your description.
· Make sure you are aware of any stages that happen at the same time as other stages or are alternatives.
· You will probably be using the present simple passive and present simple if you are describing a process.
· Use any notes on the diagram but put them into your own words.
· Think about varying your vocabulary. Use synonyms. If, for
example, the diagram describes jobs – interchange ‘jobs’, ‘occupations’,
‘types of employment/work’ etc.
· Make sure you organize your information clearly. You will need
an introduction and body for this report. A conclusion is not
necessary.
v
Your introduction should introduce the process or flow chart and give an overview to summarize its overall function.
v
Your body will describe the process or flow chart in a logical
order.
· For this report you will need to guide the reader with sequence expressions such as ‘first of all’, ‘after that’, ‘at the same time’,
‘concurrently’ etc. (See Holmesglen website downloadable writing booklet p.39).
· Don’t copy phrases from the instructions as this will not be
assessed. Use your own words.
· Don’t take more than 20 minutes over this task.
· Try to write neatly and cross out errors with one line only.
· Leave a couple of minutes to read through what you have written.
