Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.

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How to Use This Lesson

For Teachers

Explain how to use this warm-up module to build vocabulary for process descriptions. Allocate 40 minutes total across all three modules and check student progress as they complete each section.

For Learners

Do this module first to learn essential vocabulary and sentence patterns for process writing. Once completed, move on to the main writing task in Module 2.

Module 1 • Build-Up

Building Vocabulary and Sentence Patterns

Let's warm up by thinking about a process.

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Pattern Example

"Compared with a mile, a kilometre is a short distance."

Notice how this sentence introduces a comparison using a simple, natural structure.

Part (a): Word Forms

Complete each sentence about making loose leaf tea with the correct word form of the verb in brackets.

1. Before pouring hot water, the teapot requires proper ____ (prepare).

2. The tea leaves need several minutes of ____ (steep) to release their full flavor.

3. Hot water facilitates the ____ (infuse) of rich aroma into the liquid.

4. It is essential to give the pot a gentle ____ (warm) prior to brewing.

5. Dry tea leaves show high liquid ____ (absorb) during the initial stage.

Part (b): Collocations for Describing Data and Processes

Choose the best word to complete each natural collocation.

6. After five minutes of steeping, the liquid ___ a deep amber color.

____ a. touched ____ b. grabbed ____ c. reached ____ d. arrived

7. The infusion stage ___ to an end once the timer sounds.

____ a. goes ____ b. comes ____ c. falls ____ d. runs

8. Water temperature plays a vital ___ in extracting balanced flavor.

____ a. place ____ b. mark ____ c. point ____ d. role

9. Loose leaf brewing stands in sharp ___ to quick tea bags.

____ a. contrast ____ b. difference ____ c. opposite ____ d. variation

10. The traditional brewing process ___ several consecutive steps.

____ a. holds ____ b. surrounds ____ c. involves ____ d. catches

Part (c): Useful Process Phrases

Fill in the blanks using phrases from the word bank below.

followed by The first step as a result prior to in order to

11. ____ in making tea is boiling fresh water in a kettle.

12. Warm the teapot with hot liquid ____ adding the loose tea leaves.

13. Pour boiling water over the leaves ____ extract the natural essential oils.

14. Allow the pot to rest for four minutes, ____ straining the tea into cups.

15. The leaves expand fully; ____ , the beverage develops its intended strength.

Part (d): Paraphrasing Sentences

Select the option that best restates the original sentence without changing its meaning.

Original: "Boiling water must be poured directly over the loose leaves before letting the pot rest."

____ a. Water must be cooled down before pouring it onto the tea leaves in the pot. ____ b. Loose leaves should be covered with boiling water immediately prior to the resting phase. ____ c. The pot rests for a few minutes before boiling water is poured over the loose leaves.

Original: "Straining the liquid removes the spent leaves, resulting in a smooth cup of tea."

____ a. Spent leaves are added through a strainer to make the tea smooth. ____ b. The tea becomes smooth because leaves are left in the liquid after straining. ____ c. Removing the leaves with a strainer produces a clear, smooth beverage.

Original: "Warming the teapot in advance prevents a sudden drop in water temperature during brewing."

____ a. Pre-heating the vessel ensures the water stays hot enough throughout the brewing process. ____ b. Dropping the water temperature beforehand helps warm the teapot effectively. ____ c. Brewing should happen in a cool pot to control sudden temperature shifts.

Module 2 • The Task

Writing Your Task 1 Report

Now let's try a real IELTS task.

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Writing Task Prompt

The table shows which units shoppers in one city usually used when they bought fruit and vegetables in 2005, 2015 and 2025, in percentages. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Units Used by Shoppers for Fruit and Vegetables (2005–2025)

Unit used by shoppers	2005	2015	2025
Kilograms	30%	46%	64%
Pounds	44%	30%	16%
Baskets and bags	18%	14%	8%
Pieces	8%	10%	12%

(Figures are fictional.)

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Task 1 Requirements Checklist

What a Task 1 report needs:

✓ An overview
✓ Key features
✓ Comparisons
✓ Accurate figures
✓ At least 150 words

Write Your Report

AI Graded (IELTS Criteria)

Type your full response in the box below. When submitted, your essay will be evaluated on Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

____ (Write your report here (at least 150 words)...)____ (Write your report here (at least 150 words)...)

Module 3 • Model Answer

Analyzing a High-Scoring Model Answer

Read this model report to see how to describe the data clearly.

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Sample Task 1 Report

Word Count: 155 words

The table details the proportions of fruit and vegetable purchases made using four distinct units of measurement in one city between 2005 and 2025.

Overall, it is clear that kilograms became the dominant unit by the end of the period, after experiencing a steady upward trend, while the use of pounds and traditional containers fell significantly.

In 2005, pounds were the most common measurement, accounting for 44% of purchases, followed by kilograms at 30%. In sharp contrast, baskets and bags stood at 18%, while pieces represented just 8%.

Over the subsequent two decades, kilograms more than doubled to reach 64% in 2025, becoming the primary choice for shoppers. Conversely, the proportion of shoppers using pounds more than halved to 16%. Similarly, baskets and bags dropped to 8%. By comparison, buying by individual pieces saw a slight increase, rising to 12% in 2025. Overall, metric measurement gained widespread adoption as older units declined.

Why This Works: Key Phrase Notes

Review why these 8 highlighted expressions improve clarity, precision, and tone in Task 1 writing.

1. Overall, it is clear that Overview Signpost

Why this works: Signals the start of your main overview statement immediately. IELTS markers require a visible summary of key trends, and this phrase introduces it smoothly.

2. steady upward trend Movement Description

Why this works: Combines an adjective and noun to describe continuous growth (30% to 46% to 64%) over time without repeating basic words like "went up".

3. accounting for Data Linker

Why this works: Connects a category to its exact percentage or quantity naturally. It prevents repetitive sentence structures like "the figure was 44%".

4. followed by Ranking & Comparison

Why this works: Ranks items in order of size (44% then 30%) in a simple, clear way, without repeating "the figure was".

5. In sharp contrast Direct Contrast

Why this works: Clearly highlights a large difference between higher figures (44% and 30%) and lower figures (18% and 8%), making your comparisons sharper.

6. more than doubled Numerical Accuracy

Why this works: Accurately describes a rise from 30% to 64% (since exactly 2x is 60%). Adding "more than" shows careful data analysis.

7. Conversely Transition Word

Why this works: Links two opposite trends smoothly (kilograms went up while pounds went down), improving paragraph flow and cohesion scores.

8. more than halved Numerical Accuracy

Why this works: Accurately describes a fall from 44% to 16% (since half is 22%, and 16% is below half). It demonstrates strong vocabulary range.

Writing: Measurement and the Metric System

How to Use This Lesson

Building Vocabulary and Sentence Patterns

Pattern Example

Part (a): Word Forms

Part (b): Collocations for Describing Data and Processes

Part (c): Useful Process Phrases

Part (d): Paraphrasing Sentences

Writing Your Task 1 Report

Writing Task Prompt

Units Used by Shoppers for Fruit and Vegetables (2005–2025)

Task 1 Requirements Checklist

Write Your Report

Analyzing a High-Scoring Model Answer

Sample Task 1 Report

Why This Works: Key Phrase Notes

Related lessons

Compare and Contrast Phrases

IELTS Reading: The Evolution of the Metric System

IELTS Speaking: Measurement and the Metric System

Measurement and the Metric System

IELTS Writing: Children and Smartphones

Writing B2: Report on a Staff Survey