Writing Task 1: Tables, Maps & Process Diagrams

Real-world analogy

What is it?

Tables, maps, and process diagrams are three Task 1 visual types that appear less frequently than line/bar/pie charts but require different description strategies. Tables demand you find patterns in raw numbers. Maps require you to describe physical changes over time. Process diagrams need you to explain a sequence of steps. All three use the same 4-paragraph structure but with adapted language and organisation.

Real-world relevance

Describing tables is what data analysts do in reports. Describing maps is what urban planners do in council meetings — "The old factory site was converted into a park." Describing processes is what technical writers do in manuals. These three skills cover a huge range of professional communication, which is why IELTS tests them.

Key points

• Table Descriptions — Tables present data in rows and columns without any visual shape. Your challenge is to find the TRENDS hidden in the numbers. Strategy: look across rows to spot trends over time, and look down columns to compare categories. Do not describe every cell — select the highest, lowest, and most interesting changes. Group similar data together in your body paragraphs.
• Organising Table Data — For a table with many numbers, organise your response by either (1) time period — describe what happened in each year/period across all categories, or (2) category — describe how each category changed over time. Choose whichever approach allows for the clearest comparisons. Most Band 7+ responses group by category because it enables direct comparison.
• Map Descriptions — Maps show how a place changed between two or more time periods. You must describe the changes, NOT the map itself. Key language: "was replaced by," "was converted into," "was demolished and a new X was built," "remained unchanged," "was extended to the north." Use passive voice extensively: "A car park was constructed on the former farmland."
• Map Organisation Strategy — For maps, use a clear geographical organisation. Describe changes in one area before moving to another: "In the north of the town... Moving to the southern section..." Alternatively, organise by type of change: first describe what was added, then what was removed, then what remained. Always specify location using compass directions or landmarks.
• Process Diagram Descriptions — Process diagrams show how something is made or how something works, step by step. Your job is to describe the stages in order from beginning to end. Key language: "In the first stage," "Following this," "The material is then," "Subsequently," "In the final stage." Use passive voice: "The beans are harvested" not "Workers harvest the beans."
• Process Diagram Structure — For process diagrams, the 4-paragraph structure adapts slightly: (1) Introduction — describe what the process shows. (2) Overview — state the total number of stages and the start/end points. (3) Body 1 — describe the first half of the process. (4) Body 2 — describe the second half. Do NOT use bullet points or numbered lists — write in connected prose.
• Natural vs Man-Made Processes — IELTS process diagrams fall into two types. Natural processes (water cycle, butterfly lifecycle) use present simple tense: "Water evaporates from the ocean." Man-made processes (manufacturing, recycling) typically use present simple passive: "The glass is melted in a furnace at 1500 degrees." Identify the type first to set your tense correctly.
• Sequencing Language — Vary your sequencing words to avoid repetition. Start: "Initially / In the first stage / The process begins when." Middle: "Next / Following this / Subsequently / After this step / Once X is complete." End: "Finally / In the final stage / The process concludes when / The finished product is then." Use at least 5 different sequencing expressions in a process description.
• Overview for Each Type — Tables: "Overall, X showed the highest figures in all categories, while Y had the lowest. There was a general upward trend across all categories." Maps: "Overall, the area underwent significant development, with most of the farmland being replaced by residential and commercial buildings." Processes: "Overall, there are 8 stages in the process, beginning with X and ending with Y." Every type needs an overview.

Code example

SAMPLE: PROCESS DIAGRAM (described in text)

PROCESS: How Chocolate Is Made

Stage 1: Cacao pods are harvested from trees by hand
Stage 2: Pods are split open and beans are removed
Stage 3: Beans are fermented in wooden boxes for 5-7 days
Stage 4: Fermented beans are dried in the sun for 1-2 weeks
Stage 5: Dried beans are roasted at 120-160 degrees Celsius
Stage 6: Roasted beans are cracked and outer shells removed
         (the inner part is called "nibs")
Stage 7: Nibs are ground into a thick paste called
         "chocolate liquor"
Stage 8: Chocolate liquor is pressed to separate cocoa
         butter from cocoa powder
Stage 9: Cocoa butter, cocoa powder, sugar, and milk are
         combined and mixed
Stage 10: The mixture undergoes "conching" — continuous
          stirring at controlled temperatures for up to
          72 hours to develop smooth texture
Stage 11: The chocolate is tempered (carefully cooled)
          and poured into moulds
Stage 12: The finished chocolate is packaged and
          distributed to retailers

MODEL ANSWER (Band 7+):

"The diagram illustrates the 12-stage process by which
chocolate is manufactured from raw cacao pods.

Overall, the process involves both manual and mechanical
stages, beginning with the harvesting of cacao pods and
culminating in the packaging of the finished chocolate
product. The process can be divided into two broad
phases: raw bean preparation and chocolate production.

In the initial stages, cacao pods are harvested by hand
and split open to extract the beans. The beans are then
fermented in wooden containers for five to seven days
before being dried in sunlight for up to two weeks.
Following this, the dried beans are roasted at
temperatures between 120 and 160 degrees Celsius, after
which they are cracked to remove the outer shells,
leaving the inner nibs.

In the subsequent manufacturing phase, the nibs are
ground into a thick paste known as chocolate liquor,
which is then pressed to separate cocoa butter from
cocoa powder. These ingredients are combined with sugar
and milk, and the resulting mixture undergoes conching
— a process of continuous stirring at controlled
temperatures lasting up to 72 hours. Finally, the
chocolate is tempered, poured into moulds, and
packaged for distribution to retailers."

Word count: 185 words

KEY FEATURES:
- Passive voice throughout ("are harvested," "is pressed")
- Varied sequencing: "In the initial stages," "then,"
  "before being," "Following this," "after which,"
  "In the subsequent phase," "Finally"
- Overview identifies start point, end point, total stages,
  and the two broad phases
- No opinions, no personal pronouns ("I")

Line-by-line walkthrough

1. 1. The model answer starts with an introduction that identifies what the process shows and how many stages it has — "12-stage process" gives the examiner immediate context.
2. 2. The overview states the start point (harvesting cacao pods), end point (packaging chocolate), and divides the process into two broad phases. This high-level summary is essential for Band 7+.
3. 3. Body paragraph 1 covers stages 1-6 (raw bean preparation). Notice the passive voice: "are harvested," "are fermented," "are roasted," "are cracked."
4. 4. Body paragraph 2 covers stages 7-12 (chocolate production). The transition "In the subsequent manufacturing phase" clearly signals the shift to the second half.
5. 5. Sequencing is varied: "In the initial stages," "then," "before being," "Following this," "after which," "In the subsequent phase," "Finally" — seven different connectors.
6. 6. Technical terms from the diagram ("nibs," "chocolate liquor," "conching," "tempered") are included because they appear in the source material.
7. 7. At 185 words, the response is appropriately detailed without being excessively long. For Task 1, 160-190 words is the ideal range — long enough to be thorough, short enough to finish within 20 minutes.

Spot the bug

A student wrote this Task 1 about a map showing town
changes between 1990 and 2020:

"In 1990, the town has a park, two shops, and a school.
There is a river on the east side. The park is in the
centre of the town.

In 2020, the town has a shopping mall, a hospital, and
three apartment buildings. The river is still on the
east side. I think the town looks much better now with
more modern buildings.

The park was removed which I feel is very sad because
parks are important for people's health. The government
should have kept the park and built the hospital
somewhere else."

Explain like I'm 5

Fun fact

Hands-on challenge

More resources

• IELTS Task 1: Process Diagram Writing (IELTS Liz)
• How to Describe Maps in IELTS (British Council)
• IELTS Task 1: Describing Tables (IELTS Liz)
• Cambridge IELTS Writing Task 1 Practice (Cambridge)