Complete Guide for ‘Describing a Diagram’ IELTS Task with Flow Chart

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination is a staple for admission to several universities in the United States. The  IELTS score acts as proof of a candidate's English proficiency. 

The examination tests essential areas of the English language, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Here, the focus is on task 1 of the writing section of IELTS.

What is IELTS Process Task 1?

The writing section begins with a process diagram, where the candidate is presented with visual information. This visual information could be in the form of a flow chart or a graph. Students are expected to analyze this visual information and pen a summary in at most 150 words.

The content should cover the following elements:

• Salient features of the visual data
• Clear description
• Comparison of the data

The description must be conveyed in well-placed paragraphs with a clear flow of ideas. Students get a total of 20 minutes to complete this task.

Steps to Write the IELTS Process Diagram

In line with the previous year's questions, describing a diagram in IELTS comes down to a structure that can help candidates frame their answers better. The structure comprises the following sequences:

• Analyze the flow chart: The visual information in the process diagram is usually associated with a natural or manufacturing process. For instance, the water cycle or the brick manufacturing process. It is crucial to analyze the process thoroughly to understand the idea and its critical features.
• Start with an overview: The beginning of the description should notify the examiner about the overview of the process. Mention what the diagram represents and paraphrase the entire idea. The overview should be at most two to three sentences.
• Assess critical steps in the visual information: Due to the word limit, it is challenging to fit the specifics of the diagram in writing. Hence, it is preferable to break down the process into a few key steps and discuss them. Dedicate a maximum of one to two sentences for each step.
• Recheck: After completing the content within the specified word limit, check for grammatical or punctuation errors. Furthermore, ensure that the ideas are structured correctly. 

It is vital to stay within the word limit while concisely expressing the idea behind the flow chart. Additionally, the data flow diagram does not necessitate a conclusion. 

Sample of Describing a Diagram in IELTS

Step 1 - Analysis

Looking at the diagram representing a water cycle. It consists of comprehensive visual information about how clouds are formed and how rain seeps into lakes and other water bodies to undergo evaporation to form clouds again.

Step 2 - Introduction

After understanding the idea behind the water cycle, the next step is to paraphrase the process in two to three sentences. This can be done by mentioning the total number of stages in the water cycle and what marks the beginning and end of this cycle.

Step 3 - Assessing key steps

Necessary steps like saltwater intrusion and evaporated water vapor in the air can succeed in the introduction. These processes are essential parts of the water cycle that help form new clouds, resulting in a never-ending cycle.

Step 4 - Recheck

Browse through the content from the examiner's point of view to gain an objective view of the written material. Check for spelling errors and use concise punctuation to express the ideas better.

Following all these steps, the summary of the water cycle data flow diagram should appear similar to what’s given below:

This diagram provides a comprehensive look into the water cycle. It discusses the continuity of the process and details the process of water entering the land and returning to the ocean from where it originated. 

The evaporation of water from the oceans marks the beginning of the process. The diagram stresses that 80% of the water that condenses to form clouds is acquired from the ocean. The formation of the clouds leads to the second stage, i.e., precipitation, where water emerges as rain or snow from the clouds onto the land. 

At the final stage of its journey, rainwater diverges into several paths to reach the ocean. It merges directly as surface run-off or travels through a lake. Rainwater may also travel underground and reach the impervious layer before encountering saltwater intrusion and finally entering the ocean to complete the water cycle.