IELTS Writing Task 1 (Process Diagrams)

Vocabulary for describing how something is made or how a cycle works. Includes process stages, inputs and outputs, equipment, state changes, and operation verbs.

Diagram (n)

a picture that shows how a process or system works

Process (n)

a series of actions that leads to a result

Stage (n)

one main part of a process

Step (n)

one small action inside a stage

Sequence (n)

the fixed order in which steps happen

Cycle (n)

a process that returns to the start and repeats

Linear (adj)

going in one direction only

Input (n)

anything that enters the process at the start

Raw material (n)

natural material that has not been changed yet

Source (n)

the place where material comes from

Substance (n)

a type of material (solid

Mixture (n)

two or more things combined together

Output (n)

anything that leaves the process at the end

Product (n)

the finished item that the process makes

By-product (n)

something extra made during a process

Waste (n)

unwanted material left at the end of a process

Equipment (n)

the tools and machines used in a process

Tool (n)

a small object used to do a specific job

Container (n)

an object that holds material (e.g. a tank or box)

Pipe (n)

a long tube that carries liquid or gas

Layer (n)

one flat level of material on top of another

Mould (v/n)

a hollow shape used to give material a form

Transfer (v)

to move material from one stage to the next

Pump (v)

to push liquid or gas through pipes

Pour (v)

to make liquid flow from one container to another

Collect (v)

to gather material together in one place

Distribute (v)

to send the finished product to different places

Store (v)

to keep material aside until it is needed

Storage (n)

the place where material is kept

Dispose (v)

to throw waste away at the end of the process

Absorb (v)

to take in material so it becomes part of something else

Convert (v)

to change material into a different form

Separate (v)

to divide one thing into smaller parts

Combine (v)

to join separate parts together

Filter (v)

to remove solid bits from a liquid

Heat (v)

to make something hotter on purpose

Cool (v)

to make something colder on purpose

Melt (v)

to change a solid into a liquid (e.g. ice to water)

Evaporate (v)

to change a liquid into a gas (e.g. water to steam)

Condense (v)

to change a gas back into a liquid (e.g. steam to water)

Solidify (v)

to change a liquid into a solid (e.g. water to ice)

Pack / Package (v)

to put a finished product into boxes for sending out

Label (v)

to put a name or information on a product

Inspect (v)

to check something carefully for quality

Measure (v)

to find the size

Weigh (v)

to find how heavy something is

Operate (v)

to run a machine or system

Monitor (v)

to supervise a process

Regulate (v)

to control the speed or amount in a process

Automatic (adj)

working by itself

Manual (adj)

needing a person to do the work

Mechanical (adj)

using machines to do the work