Model answer for the production of electricity.
In the last lesson about process diagrams, I looked at the grammar and vocabulary needed to write about them. Click here to see the grammar needed. This type of task sometimes appears in IELTS academic writing task 1, so I advise practicing this kind of task as it could appear in the exam.
The passive voice grammar is used when describing a process and you will also need sequencers to show the step by step process. The structure needed is: an introduction, an overview and 2 body paragraphs. Word count is 150 words minimum, aim for around 160 to 180 words.
You will notice that the task question in academic task 1 says:
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
You do not have to write about every single feature on the chart or diagram. Pick out the main features and also use the language of comparisons. In the case of a process diagram, it is pretty straightforward. Just describe the process using active and passive and sequencers. Check the grammar needed here in this lesson.
In the task below, I used a process diagram from the Cambridge IELTS 12 Academic book. I advise only using official IELTS material when practicing as there is a lot of fake material out there with IELTS. You can get this book online at Amazon.
The diagram below shows how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Model Answer:
The diagram illustrates the process by which geothermal energy is used in the production of electricity.
Overall, there are five steps in the process, starting from pumping down cold water into the geothermal zone, to producing electricity from the generator which is then sent into the electrical grid.
In the first step, cold water is pumped down 4.5 km underground through the injection well. Next, the water is injected into the geothermal zone, where hot rocks heat the water up as it passes through the Earth. Once the water has been heated up, it enters the production well and is then pumped up to the ground and into the condenser.
The last two stages are carried out above ground at the power plant. First of all, steam is produced from the hot water in the condenser. In the following step, the steam passes into the turbine and makes it spin. Finally, the generator, which is powered by the turbine, produces electricity where it is then transferred into the electric grid via power lines.
172 words
Analysis of the Model Answer
Green = active Red = passive Bold = Sequencers Purple= relative clauses
The diagram illustrates the process by which geothermal energy is used in the production of electricity.
Overall, there are five steps in the process, starting from pumping down cold water into the geothermal zone, to producing electricity from the generator which is then sent into the electrical grid.
In the first step, cold water is pumped down 4.5 km underground through the injection well. Next, the water is injected into the geothermal zone, where hot rocks heat the water up as it passes through the Earth. Following this, once the water has been heated up, it enters the production well and is then pumped up to the ground and into the condenser.
The last two stages are carried out above ground at the power plant. First of all, steam is produced from the hot water in the condenser. In the following step, the steam passes into the turbine and makes it spin. Finally, the generator, which is powered by the turbine, produces electricity where it is then transferred into the electric grid via power lines.
Use Sequencers when describing a process, here are some examples:
- To begin with / starting from
- in the first step
- in the next stage
- next / then
- following this
- after that
- subsequently
- finally / lastly
Notice how I have grouped the information:
Main body 1 – I wrote about the process underground.
Main body 2 – I wrote about the process above ground.
Here is a useful link for the rules around using active and passive grammar:
https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/activepass.htm
Any questions? comment below.