Sequencing Process Diagrams: Passive Voice Application

1. From Data to Process: A New Task

Unlike charts and graphs, which present numerical data, a process diagram illustrates a sequence of actions. This could be a manufacturing process (how something is made), a natural cycle (like the water cycle), or a procedural flow. Your job is not to analyze data but to describe the steps in the order they occur.

The key to a high-scoring response is demonstrating your ability to follow a logical sequence and describe each stage using appropriate language. This requires two specific grammatical skills that we will focus on today.

Let's begin by understanding the fundamentals of this task type. This article from PastPaperHero clearly defines the task and the key language components.

2. The Language Toolkit: Sequencing and Passive Voice

As the resource highlighted, success with process diagrams hinges on your command of two key areas: sequencing language and the passive voice.

Sequencing Language

Sequencing words and phrases are the glue that connects the stages of your description. They guide the reader through the process from beginning to end. Using a variety of these is crucial for a high band score.

The video below from English with Emma offers a very clear and practical introduction to sequencers.

While basic sequencers are good, for a Band 7, you should also incorporate more advanced phrases. This resource from the BabyCode Blog provides an excellent list.

The Passive Voice

In a process diagram, the focus is on the action being performed, not on who is performing it. For example, in a diagram showing how coffee is made, the important information is that the beans are picked, are dried, and are roasted. We don't know (and don't need to know) who does these things. The passive voice is the perfect grammatical structure for this.

The structure is: Object + verb 'to be' + Past Participle.

• Active: Workers sort the bottles. (Focus on 'workers')
• Passive: The bottles are sorted. (Focus on 'bottles' and the action)

The video from English with Emma also provides a superb explanation of why and how to use the passive voice for this task.

3. Guided Practice: Describing the Recycling of Plastic Bottles

Let's apply these tools. We'll analyze the process of recycling plastic bottles. Your "practice-first" preference is perfect here, as seeing the language in action is the best way to learn.

Analysis First:
Before writing, quickly map the process:

• Number of stages: 9
• Start point: Collecting bottles from a bin.
• End point: Producing new products.
• Overall flow: A linear manufacturing/recycling process.

Now, let's describe the first few stages together, using our toolkit:

1. Stage 1 & 2: Collection and Transport.

   • Sequencer: "To begin with," or "In the first stage,"
   • Action: Bottles are collected and then transported.
   • Passive sentence: "To begin with, plastic bottles are collected from special bins and are then transported by a collection truck to a recycling centre."

2. Stage 3 & 4: Sorting and Compressing.

   • Sequencer: "Once at the centre," or "Next,"
   • Action: They are sorted and then compressed.
   • Passive sentence: "Once at the centre, the bottles are sorted by hand to remove unwanted items, after which they are compressed into large blocks."

To see how an expert builds a full description for a similar task, the following video is incredibly helpful. It walks through a house-building process step-by-step, showing how to select details, use sequencing words, and apply the passive voice.

4. Independent Practice: The Brick Manufacturing Process

Now it's your turn. Use the following diagram to practice describing a process.

Your Task:
Write 3-4 sentences describing the first four stages of the brick manufacturing process, from clay excavation to the drying oven. In your description, you must:

• Use at least three different sequencing words (e.g., First, Then, After that, Subsequently).
• Use the passive voice for each action.

Take about 5-7 minutes for this task. Once you're done, compare your sentences to the model answer below.

Model Answer:

Initially, clay is excavated from the ground by a large digger. The excavated clay is then placed onto a metal grid, where it is filtered, and subsequently transported along a roller. Following this, sand and water are added to the clay, and the resulting mixture is formed into bricks either by a wire cutter or by being put into a mould. Finally, the newly-formed bricks are placed in a drying oven for 24 to 48 hours.

Notice the use of sequencers (Initially, then, subsequently, Following this, Finally) and the consistent use of the passive voice (is excavated, is placed, are added).

Conclusion

In this lesson, you've learned the essential linguistic tools for describing process diagrams, a task that relies more on grammatical precision than on data interpretation. By mastering sequencing language and the passive voice, you can turn a complex visual into a clear, logical, and high-scoring description.

Key Takeaways:

• Focus on the Sequence: Your main goal is to describe the steps of a process in the correct order.
• Sequencing is Key: Use a variety of linking words and phrases (First, Next, After this, Subsequently, Finally) to guide your reader through the process.
• The Passive Voice is Essential: Since the action is more important than the agent (the doer), use the passive voice (e.g., "The materials are mixed") to maintain an objective, academic tone.
• Structure: A typical response includes an introduction, an overview (stating the number of stages and the start/end points), and body paragraphs detailing the process.

In our next lesson, we will consolidate all the skills you've acquired for Writing Task 1. You will learn how to write a complete Task 1 response (150+ words) under the 20-minute time limit, integrating the overview, body paragraphs, and appropriate language for any chart, graph, or diagram you might face.