APIEWriting Process: Concrete Floor Slab Production
Concrete and how it is made
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
How to use this lesson
👩🏫 For Teachers
Assign this 40-minute lesson to prepare B2 students for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 process reports.
Check answers in Module 1 together before students complete their full report in Module 2.
🎓 For Learners
Complete the 4 warm-up activities in Module 1 to practice vocabulary, linkers, and passive verbs.
Next, write your 150+ word process report in Module 2 for Instant AI feedback, then check Module 3.
Warm-up: Hand-washing clothes
Practice fundamental writing skills using a simple daily process before tackling complex diagrams.
Useful Pattern to Notice
"We cooled the soup, and the soup cooled in a few minutes."
Notice how some verbs describe an action someone does to an item, or what happens to the item itself.
Part A: Word Forms (5 items)
Choose the correct word form to complete each sentence about washing clothes by hand.
1. Before washing your garments, check for stain ___ on collar areas.
2. Gentle ___ of delicate wool items prevents shrinking in warm water.
3. Liquid soap helps to ___ oil stains quickly from heavy cotton shirts.
4. A ten-minute ___ in fresh soapy water helps loosen surface dirt.
5. Careful ___ ensures that no leftover soap stays in the fabric.
Part B: Linking Words for a Process (5 items)
Select the best sequence linker to connect the steps of the hand-washing process.
6. ___, fill a clean tub with warm water and add liquid soap.
7. Submerge the clothes in the water. ___, gently rub the fabric together to loosen dirt.
8. Leave the shirts in soapy water for ten minutes. ___, rinse them with fresh water.
9. Squeeze out excess water carefully. ___, hang the garments on a drying line.
10. ___, make sure the clothes are completely dry before folding them.
Part C: Passive of Process Verbs (5 items)
Fill in each blank with the correct passive verb form from the Word Bank.
Word Bank
Part D: Paraphrase (3 items)
Choose the sentence that conveys the exact same meaning using different words and structures.
16. Original sentence:
"You should soak dirty clothes in warm soapy water before scrubbing them."
17. Original sentence:
"People must rinse the garments thoroughly to remove all remaining soap."
18. Original sentence:
"Hanging clothes outdoors allows the fresh air to dry them naturally."
The Task: Concrete floor slab
Read the Task 1 diagram instructions, review the production stages, and write your report.
"The diagram shows how workers make a concrete floor slab for a house. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features."
Requirement: Write at least 150 words.
Production Process (7 Stages)
Workers measure the cement, the sand, the gravel and the water
They mix the cement and the water into a paste
They add the sand and the gravel and mix everything until the paste coats every piece
They pour the wet concrete into a wooden frame on the ground
They level the top with a long board
They cover the concrete and keep it damp, so that the cement can harden
The slab goes on getting stronger, and after 28 days the workers test its strength.
Report Writing Checklist
Your Writing Submission
Write your complete Task 1 process report below (minimum 150 words). AI will evaluate your work based on standard IELTS criteria.
____ (Write your report here...)Model Answer & Key Phrases
Study this sample report (~150 words) and read the side notes explaining key expressions.
The diagram illustrates the step-by-step process of producing a concrete floor slab for a house. Overall, the process consists of seven distinct sequential stages, beginning with measuring raw materials and culminating in a final strength test after 28 days.
First, workers measure the cement, sand, gravel, and water carefully before they begin. Next, they mix the cement and water into a smooth paste. Following this stage, the sand and gravel are added to the mixture and blended thoroughly until the paste coats every single piece.
Once the wet concrete is ready, it is poured into a wooden frame placed on the ground. Subsequently, workers level the top of the wet concrete evenly using a long board. After the surface is leveled, the concrete is covered and kept damp so that the cement can harden properly. Finally, the concrete slab goes on getting stronger, and after 28 days the workers test its strength.
Why these phrases work
1. The diagram illustrates the step-by-step process of...
Why this works: Gives a clear opening sentence that paraphrases the task prompt without repeating simple words directly.
2. Overall, the process consists of seven distinct sequential stages...
Why this works: Creates an essential Task 1 overview sentence summarizing the full workflow length clearly.
3. ...beginning with ... and culminating in...
Why this works: Connects the starting step to the final outcome in a smooth, high-level summary structure.
4. First, workers measure... Next, they mix...
Why this works: Uses clear sequence markers to guide the reader through the chronological stages smoothly.
5. ...until the paste coats every single piece.
Why this works: Captures the specific condition and completion target accurately from the original diagram notes.
6. Once the wet concrete is ready, it is poured into...
Why this works: Combines a time clause ("Once...") with the passive voice ("is poured") to show step transition naturally.
7. ...is covered and kept damp so that the cement can harden...
Why this works: Clearly explains cause-and-effect relationship using "so that" conjunction.
8. ...goes on getting stronger, and after 28 days...
Why this works: Accurately reports duration and final verification timeframe as given in the process diagram.
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