IELTS Writing - Manufacturing Process

Objectives:

To learn about the general structure of a manufacturing process-related task

To learn about important vocabulary and grammatical structures in written tasks related to
manufacturing process.

To analyze two model responses.

To apply what you have learned to produce a proper response that describes a manufacturing process.
Questions

The diagram illustrates the process that is used to manufacture bricks for the building industry.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where
relevant.

The diagram shows the recycling process of aluminium cans.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
Vocabulary and Grammatical Structures

1. Present simple

2. Passive Voice

3. Sequential language

* Prior to Ving, S+V

Prior to being sorted by hand to remove any that are below standard, fruits are collected from the
greenhouse.

* After S+V, S+V

* Having been P2, S+V

Having been collected from the greenhouse, fruits are subsequently sorted by hand to remove any that
are below standard.

* Once S+V, S+V

Once fruits are collected from the greenhouse, they are subsequently sorted by hand to remove any
that are below standard.

* Next/ Subsequently/ In the following (subsequent) stage of the process

In the following stage of the process, fruits are sorted by hand to remove any that are below standard.

* S+V, after which ...

Fruits are collected from the greenhouse, after which they are sorted by hand to remove any that are
below standard.

* S+V, which is followed by ...

Fruits are collected from the greenhouse, which is followed by the manual sorting stage.

4. Phrases that indicate purpose

* in order to

Having been collected from the greenhouse, fruits are subsequently sorted by hand in order to remove
any that are below standard.

• so as to

* to ensure that

Having been collected from the greenhouse, fruits are subsequently sorted by hand to ensure that they
are in good condition.
General Structure

1 - Rearrange the pictures in the correct order to show how vegetables are prepared and packaged before they are sold.

Sequence:

greenhouse -> sorting -> peeling and polishing -> cutting -> chilling -> spinning and drying -> packaging
1. Introduction:

Paraphrase the title

The diagram shows how vegetables are prepared and packaged before they are sold.

The diagram -> The picture

shows -> describes

how vegetables are prepared and packaged before they are sold -> how to prepare and package
vegetables before delivering them to the market. / the process of preparing and packaging vegetables
before delivering them to the market.

2. Overview:

The number of stages, first stage, final stage, main stages (optional)

Overall, there are a number of different stages undertaken, starting with the vegetables being
collected, through different cleaning and drying steps, and culminating in packaging the final products.

3. Body (2 paragraphs)
Describe different stages in detail
a. Body 1: Pre-manufacturing process

The first stage of the process begins when the vegetables and fruit are picked and taken out of the
greenhouse.

Having been ....

Once ...

b. Body 2: manufacturing process + post-production

The process proceeds with the chilling stage so as to keep the vegetables fresh.

Subsequently,...

... which is followed by

Model response 1

Sample text

The picture describes the process of preparing and packaging vegetables before delivering them to the
market.

Overall, there are a number of different stages undertaken, starting with the vegetables being collected,
(through different cleaning and drying steps), and culminating in packaging the final products.
The first stage of the process begins when the vegetables and fruit are picked and taken out of the
greenhouse. Having been collected, they are subsequently sorted by hand so as to remove any that are
below standard. Those that are in good condition are then polished or peeled prior to being pre-cut for
market.

The process continues with the chilling stage in order to keep the vegetables fresh. After this initial
chilling, the produce is put through a spinning machine to ensure that vegetables are dried and ready
for the next stage. Finally, the end product is packaged so that it meets the standards required for
selling.

Note: remember to mention equipments involved if necessary.

Work in pairs and discuss the following process.

How many stages involved?

How to divide different stages into 2 groups that are associated with 2 body paragraphs?

How to describe different stages?

The diagram illustrates the process that is used to manufacture bricks for the building industry.
The picture describes how bricks are manufactured for the construction industry.

Overall, there are a number of steps undertaken, beginning with the digging up of the clay, through
some mixing and heating steps, and culminating in delivery.

The first stage of the process starts when the clay used to make the bricks is dug up from the ground by
a large digger. This clay is subsequently placed on a metal grid, which is used to break up the clay into
smaller pieces. A roller assists in this process. Having been ground, the clay is then blended with sand
and water, and this mixture is either placed into a mould or went through a wire cutter so as to form
different types of bricks.

The process continues when these bricks are placed in an oven to dry for 24 – 48 hours, after which
they are heated in a kiln at a moderate and then a high temperature (ranging from 200c to 1300c).
Having been cooled in a chamber for 2 – 3 days, the bricks are finally packed and delivered to their
destinations.

Practice
The diagrams illustrate the phases and apparatus to make cement and how cement is utilised in the
production of concrete for construction.

The production of cement involves a 5 stage, linear process that begins with the mixing of raw materials
and culminates in the packaging of new cement. Making concrete is a simpler process that involves
mixing four ingredients in a concrete mixer.

Limestone and clay are crushed and the resulting powder is then mixed before being passed through a
rotating heater. Once heated this mixture travels over a conveyor belt and is ground through a grinder.
Now that the cement has been produced, it is packaged and transported to a building site where it can
be used to make concrete.

Concrete is made up of half gravel, quarter sand, 10% water and 15% cement. All of these are added
together in a cylindrical drum and rotated until concrete is yielded.