IELTS Writing Task 1: Maps and Process Diagrams 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A process diagram has 7 stages. Which overview best captures this?
- Overall, the process involves seven distinct stages, beginning with raw material extraction and ending with a finished product. (Correct answer)
- Overall, the first stage is extraction, the second is crushing, the third is mixing, the fourth is heating, the fifth is cooling, the sixth is packaging and the seventh is distribution.
- Overall, the process is very interesting and shows how the product is made efficiently.
- Overall, the diagram shows that the process takes place in a factory.
Correct answer: Overall, the process involves seven distinct stages, beginning with raw material extraction and ending with a finished product.
A good overview names the number of stages, the starting point and the end point without listing every step individually.
Question 2: Two maps show a village in 1985 and today. A road now runs where there used to be a river. The best description is:
- The river has been replaced by a road. (Correct answer)
- The river replaces the road.
- The road replaced by a river.
- A road was replacing the river.
Correct answer: The river has been replaced by a road.
When describing a change on a map that extends to the present, the present perfect passive ('has been replaced') is appropriate.
Question 3: Which phrase best introduces a location on a map?
- To the south of the town centre, adjacent to the railway station (Correct answer)
- However, to the south of the town centre
- In conclusion, the south of the town centre
- For example, to the south of the town centre
Correct answer: To the south of the town centre, adjacent to the railway station
Prepositional phrases of location ('to the south of', 'adjacent to') are the correct tools for describing spatial positions on a map.
Question 4: You are describing a process diagram of bread-making. The dough is left to rise after mixing. The most accurate sentence is:
- Once the ingredients have been mixed, the dough is left to rise. (Correct answer)
- Once the ingredients are mixed, the dough left to rise.
- Once the ingredients was mixed, the dough is left to rise.
- Once mixing the ingredients, the dough is left to rise.
Correct answer: Once the ingredients have been mixed, the dough is left to rise.
A time clause with present perfect passive ('have been mixed') correctly shows that mixing is completed before the rising stage begins.
Question 5: What is the key difference between describing a map and describing a process diagram?
- Maps require spatial language (north/south/adjacent), while processes require sequential language (first/then/finally). (Correct answer)
- Maps use future tenses, while processes use past tenses.
- Maps need an opinion paragraph, while processes only need facts.
- Maps describe only one point in time, while processes always compare two time periods.
Correct answer: Maps require spatial language (north/south/adjacent), while processes require sequential language (first/then/finally).
Maps demand location vocabulary and direction words, whereas process diagrams require sequence markers to show the order of stages.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses 'while' to compare two map features?
- While the northern area was dominated by housing in 1990, it is now an industrial zone. (Correct answer)
- While the northern area dominates by housing in 1990, it is now an industrial zone.
- While the northern area was dominated by housing in 1990, it was now an industrial zone.
- While the northern area is dominated by housing in 1990, it is now an industrial zone.
Correct answer: While the northern area was dominated by housing in 1990, it is now an industrial zone.
The contrast requires past tense for 1990 ('was dominated') and present tense for now ('is now'), correctly handled in option A.
Question 7: In a Task 1 response about a process diagram, how many paragraphs should a well-organised answer typically contain?
- Three: introduction, overview, and one or two body paragraphs describing the stages (Correct answer)
- Five: one for each of the five main stages
- Two: an introduction and one body paragraph covering everything
- Six: introduction, overview, and one paragraph per stage
Correct answer: Three: introduction, overview, and one or two body paragraphs describing the stages
The standard structure is an introduction (paraphrase of the task), an overview, and body paragraphs grouping the stages logically.
IELTS Writing Task 1: Maps and Process Diagrams 2
A process diagram has 7 stages.
Which overview best captures this?