APIEWriting Task 1: Forests and the Timber Trade
Forests and the timber trade
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
How to use this lesson
For the Teacher
Plan 40 minutes for the three modules, giving students 10 to 12 minutes to finish this chocolate warm-up independently.
Check answers automatically through the built-in validation before students move to the paper-making writing task.
For the Learner
First, complete these four chocolate factory tasks to practice the essential words, connectors, and sentence patterns.
Next, take the sentence-building tools you practiced here and apply them to your full report in Module 2.
Making Chocolate: Process Writing Tools
Learn the core tools for process writing using chocolate making before writing your main report.
Why this topic?
Every process description requires four basic tools: changing words into the right form, connecting steps in time, using passive verbs, and saying the same fact in different words. We will practice all four on chocolate making.
Word Forms
Change the word in brackets into the correct form to complete each step.
1. The small factory begins the ___ (produce) of chocolate by cleaning raw cocoa beans.
2. Ripe cocoa pods are ___ (harvest) by hand before workers extract the wet seeds.
3. The cocoa beans undergo natural ___ (ferment) inside wooden boxes for about five days.
4. Heavy steel rollers are used to ___ (refinement) the paste until it feels completely smooth.
5. Staff place the cooled chocolate bars into paper ___ (pack) before sending them to shops.
Linking Words for a Process
Choose the best single word to show the sequence of steps.
___, workers sort through the incoming cocoa beans to discard any dirt and stones.
The beans are thoroughly washed. ___, they are transferred into large roasting ovens.
The roasting process ends, and ___ the beans pass under a cold blower to reduce their temperature.
Heavy blades crack open the roasted beans. ___, a fan blows the light outer husks away from the edible nibs.
___, the chocolate solidifies into bars and is boxed for delivery to retailers.
Passive Verbs
Complete each sentence using the correct passive form from the word bank below.
Word Bank
1. In the initial stage, each batch of raw cocoa beans ___ at a steady heat inside a revolving drum.
2. After cooling, the fragile outer shells ___ from the internal cocoa nibs by a winnowing machine.
3. The pure nib material ___ between heavy grindstones into a thick, oily liquid.
4. Next, the warm cocoa paste ___ with sugar and milk powder in a mixing tank.
5. Finally, measured amounts of liquid chocolate ___ into bar-shaped moulds to set.
Paraphrase Challenge
Choose the sentence that gives the exact same information in different words.
Original Sentence
Which sentence says the same thing?
Original Sentence
Which sentence says the same thing?
Original Sentence
Which sentence says the same thing?
Ready for the real test?
You have practiced word forms, sequence connectors, passives, and paraphrasing. Now proceed to Module 2 to apply these exact tools to the official report on how paper is made from trees.
From Trees to Paper
Put what you practiced into a complete report on how paper is made.
The Task
"The diagram shows how paper is made from trees. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features."
Production Process
Follow the steps in chronological order from timber harvesting to final delivery.
Workers cut down trees in a managed forest
→Lorries carry the logs to a paper mill
→Machines take the bark off the logs
→Machines cut the logs into small chips
→The chips are cooked with water and chemicals to make pulp
→The pulp is washed and cleaned
→The pulp is pressed and dried into large sheets
→The paper is cut to size and packed for sale
DoneWhat every process report needs:
- An overview
- Every stage in the right order
- Linking words for sequence
- Accurate details
- At least 150 words
Write Your Report
AI GradedWrite your complete report in the box below. When finished, submit your draft for evaluation across the four official criteria.
Model Answer & Key Phrases
Read this complete 160-word report to see how every stage links together in plain English.
Full Model Answer
Written in IELTS Academic Task 1 style, covering all eight stages in sequence.
The diagram illustrates the process of manufacturing commercial paper from trees. Overall, the entire operation consists of eight main stages, beginning with ... and culminating in the packaging of finished paper ready for commercial sale.
In the initial stage, trees are cut down by workers in a sustainably managed forest. Following this, the felled logs are transported to a paper mill using heavy lorries. Once the timber arrives at the facility, specialized machines strip the outer bark off each log. Next, the debarked wood is sliced into small chips by mechanical cutters.
During the subsequent phase of production, these wood chips are cooked alongside water and chemicals to create wet pulp. After being cooked, the pulp is carefully washed and cleaned to remove impurities. The mixture is then pressed and dried thoroughly to produce large continuous sheets of paper. In the final stage, the dried paper is cut to size and packed for distribution.
Why This Works: 7 Useful Phrases
Plain-English notes on why each highlighted phrase makes your writing effective.
"The diagram illustrates the process of..."
Why this works: Starts your very first sentence cleanly and immediately tells the reader what the diagram shows without copying the word "shows" directly from the exam prompt.
"Overall, the entire operation consists of..."
Why this works: Opens your overview sentence clearly with the word "Overall" and states the total number of stages right away before giving any small details.
"beginning with ... and culminating in..."
Why this works: Connects the starting stage to the finish line in a single smooth line. It shows the examiner you understand the whole direction of the process at a glance.
"In the initial stage,..."
Why this works: A more formal and natural opener than just writing "First". It instantly signals to the reader that you are now describing the chronological steps one by one.
"Following this, the felled logs are transported to..."
Why this works: Moves neatly into the next action, and uses the passive form ("are transported") because the destination of the logs is much more important than who drives the lorry.
"Once the timber arrives at the facility,..."
Why this works: Links two steps in time using "Once", making it clear that machines cannot take the bark off until the timber has safely reached the factory building.
"In the final stage, the dried paper is..."
Why this works: Gives your report a definite conclusion by signaling the end of the line, while keeping the focus directly on the finished product ready for sale.
Key Takeaway For Process Tasks
Compare your own draft from Module 2 with this model. Notice how every step uses either the passive voice (such as "are cut", "is washed") or simple time linkers (such as "Once", "Following this", "Next") to keep the whole process flowing from start to finish.
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