APIE
B2IELTS-style · Band 5.5–6.5Writing40 min

IELTS Writing Task 1: Lightning Process

Lightning and thunderstorms

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Module 1 • Build-Up B2 IELTS Academic Writing

Getting Ready to Write

Warm up your writing tools with a simple daily process.

📌 How to use this lesson

TEACHER Duration: 40 mins total

Run this 40-minute session by checking Module 1 build-up drills before students write. Use Module 3 for quick visual feedback after AI scoring.

LEARNER Step-by-step

Complete the 4 warm-up parts on washing a car first. Next, follow the 8 lightning steps to write your report in Module 2.

Sentence Pattern Example

"Two hikers got caught in the storm, and a tree was hit by lightning."

Why this works: Notice how the sentence focuses on what happens to the target (the tree) rather than who did it.

A

Word Forms

Choose the correct noun, verb, or adjective form to complete each sentence about washing a car.

1. Careful ___ of car shampoo prevents damage to the vehicle's paintwork.

____ a. apply ____ b. application ____ c. applicable

2. Using a dirty sponge will ___ unwanted scratches on the glass.

____ a. produce ____ b. production ____ c. product

3. After rinsing, complete ___ of the car surface is essential to avoid water spots.

____ a. dry ____ b. dryness ____ c. dryer

4. A microfibre cloth acts as a very effective surface ___.

____ a. cleaner ____ b. clean ____ c. cleanliness

5. The thorough ___ of grit from the sponge protects the vehicle paint.

____ a. remove ____ b. removal ____ c. remover
B

Linking Words for a Process

Select the best sequence word to connect the steps in the car washing process.

6. ___, spray the car with clean water to loosen surface dirt.

____ a. Finally ____ b. First ____ c. Overall

7. ___, dip the soft sponge into soapy water and wipe the car roof.

____ a. Overall ____ b. Simultaneously ____ c. Subsequently

8. Wipe the body panels. ___, rinse the sponge in fresh water to clear trapped dirt.

____ a. Meanwhile ____ b. Firstly ____ c. Overall

9. ___ the soap has been applied, rinse the entire vehicle using clean water.

____ a. Beforehand ____ b. Overall ____ c. After

10. ___, dry the bodywork completely using a clean microfibre towel.

____ a. Initially ____ b. Finally ____ c. Previously
C

Passive Process Verbs

Complete each sentence by writing the correct passive verb from the Word Bank.

Word Bank

is washed is dried is removed are rinsed is applied
11. First, the floor mat [ ___ ] from the car and shaken out.
____
12. Next, car shampoo [ ___ ] to the roof using a soft sponge.
____
13. Then, the doors and side panels [ ___ ] thoroughly with clean water.
____
14. After that, the entire vehicle [ ___ ] with soap and a sponge, from top to bottom.
____
15. Finally, the paintwork [ ___ ] with a soft microfibre towel until it shines.
____
D

Paraphrasing Sentences

Choose the sentence option that expresses the exact same meaning using different words.

Original: "Before applying soap, rinse the car thoroughly to clear loose grit."

Which sentence means the same thing?

____ a. Rinse the car thoroughly to clear loose grit before applying soap. ____ b. Apply soap to the car before rinsing away any loose grit. ____ c. Cleaning loose grit is done after the soap is applied to the car.
Original: "Drying the vehicle with a microfibre towel prevents water marks."

Which sentence means the same thing?

____ a. Microfibre towels cause water marks if they are used to dry the vehicle. ____ b. Water marks are prevented when the vehicle is dried with a microfibre towel. ____ c. Water marks are not a problem, so the vehicle does not need a microfibre towel.
Original: "Rinse the sponge frequently in clean water so dirt does not scratch the paint."

Which sentence means the same thing?

____ a. Scratching the paint happens whenever clean water is used to rinse the sponge. ____ b. Clean water scratches the paint unless the sponge is rinsed frequently. ____ c. To avoid scratching the paint with dirt, wash the sponge often in clean water.
Module 2 • Writing Task IELTS Academic Task 1

⚡ The Lightning Process

Put your process writing skills to work on a natural science diagram.

WRITING PROMPT Minimum 150 words
"The diagram shows how a lightning flash forms in a thunderstorm. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features."

🔄 Process Stages Diagram

Follow the 8 numbered steps below to write your detailed report.

8 Sequential Steps
1

Strong updrafts carry small drops of water high above the freezing level, while downdrafts carry hail and ice down

↓
2

The drops and the ice collide

↓
3

Electrons are sheared off the rising pieces and collect on the falling ones

↓
4

The cloud now has a negative base and a positive top

↓
5

The air between them acts as an insulator, until the difference in charge becomes too great

↓
6

A channel of negative charge, called a stepped leader, goes down from the cloud in rapid steps

↓
7

A channel of positive charge, called a streamer, reaches up from the ground and meets the leader

↓
8

A bright return stroke travels up the channel, and this is the flash that people see.

✅ Process Report Requirements Checklist

  • ✓ An overview section outlining the overall process
  • ✓ Every stage presented in the right order
  • ✓ Clear linking words for sequence
  • ✓ Accurate details from the diagram
  • ✓ At least 150 words total length

Write Your Report

Draft your summary of the lightning process below. Your work will be graded by AI.

AI Evaluation
Task Achievement Coherence and Cohesion Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and Accuracy
____ (Write your summary response here (at least 150 words)...)
Module 3 • Model Answer 160 Words • High-scoring report

📖 Model Answer & Phrase Breakdown

Study a complete high-scoring report to see how all the steps fit together.

✍️ Full Sample Essay

160 Words

The diagram illustrates how a lightning flash forms in a thunderstorm. Overall, this process involves charge separation inside a cloud followed by a bright flash.

To begin with, strong updrafts carry small drops of water high above the freezing level, while downdrafts carry hail and ice down. Subsequently, the drops and the ice collide. As a result of this collision, electrons are sheared off the rising pieces and collect on the falling ones. Consequently, the cloud now has a negative base and a positive top.

Following this stage, the air between them acts as an insulator, until the difference in charge becomes too great. At this point, a channel of negative charge, called a stepped leader, goes down from the cloud in rapid steps. Simultaneously, a channel of positive charge, called a streamer, reaches up from the ground and meets the leader. Finally, a bright return stroke travels up the channel, and this is the flash that people see.

💡 Why These Phrases Work

Review why each bolded phrase makes the report clear, organized, and natural.

1. "The diagram illustrates how..."

Why this works: Gives a clear opening sentence that introduces the main topic of the diagram without copying the prompt word for word.

2. "Overall, this process involves..."

Why this works: Provides a high-level summary (overview) of the whole process before diving into step-by-step details.

3. "To begin with,..."

Why this works: Clearly signals to the reader where the first stage of the sequence starts.

4. "As a result of this collision,..."

Why this works: Connects two related steps by showing how one action directly causes the next.

5. "Consequently,..."

Why this works: Smoothly introduces the outcome of electron movement using strong cause-and-effect language.

6. "Following this stage,..."

Why this works: Transitions smoothly to the middle phase of the sequence while keeping the timeline clear.

7. "At this point,..."

Why this works: Pinpoints the exact moment in the sequence when the electrical breakdown occurs.

8. "Finally,..."

Why this works: Marks the final step clearly, bringing the report to a natural and satisfying conclusion.

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