How is a process diagram different from a chart in Task 1?

A process has no numbers or trends — you sequence stages with time markers and the passive voice, rather than describing increases and comparisons.

What tense do I use for a map task?

Usually the past and past passive when describing changes between two past periods ("was built", "was demolished"). Use future forms only if the map shows a planned/future change.

Do process and map answers still need an overview?

Yes — a 2-sentence overview (number of stages and start/end for a process; the overall transformation for a map) is required for band 6+ and is the highest-value part.

How many words for Task 1?

At least 150 words in about 20 minutes — aim for ~160–190 and leave the bulk of your hour for Task 2.

IELTS Academic Task 1: How to Describe a Process Diagram or Map

What stays the same as other Task 1s

The structure is identical: introduction (paraphrase what's shown) → overview (2 sentences on the big picture) → 2 detail paragraphs. The overview is still the highest-value part and is required for band 6+. You write ~150 words in ~20 minutes, and you never give an opinion — only describe.

Process diagrams

Overview: state how many stages there are and where the process begins and ends ("The process consists of seven stages, beginning with… and ending with…"). Note if it's a natural cycle vs a man-made linear process.
Sequence with markers: first, next, after that, subsequently, once X is complete, finally.
Use the passive voice — processes describe what is done, not who does it: "the mixture is heated", "the water is filtered."
Describe stages in order; don't jump around.

Maps (two time periods)

Overview: summarise the overall transformation ("Over the period, the area changed from a largely rural site into a developed residential zone").
Location language: to the north/south, in the north-east corner, adjacent to, on the opposite side of, was relocated to.
Verbs of change + passive/past: "was demolished", "was replaced by", "was extended", "a new bridge was constructed", "the forest was cleared to make way for…"
Group changes logically (e.g. by area or by what was removed vs added), not feature-by-feature at random.

A quick example

Process overview: "The diagram illustrates the production of cement in five linear stages, from the crushing of raw materials through to packaging." Map overview: "Between 2000 and 2020, the village centre was transformed: farmland to the east was replaced by housing, and a new road was built linking the area to the main highway."

Common mistakes

No overview, or burying it in stage-by-stage detail.
Using chart language ("increased", "the highest figure") where it doesn't apply.
Active voice everywhere in a process ("they roast the beans") instead of the passive.
Listing every feature on a map with no grouping or comparison.
Adding reasons or opinions the diagram doesn't show.

Practise with feedback

These visuals reward the right structures, so feedback helps. Write timed process/map answers and check your overview, sequencing and passive use with IELTS writing correction. For the chart-based visuals, see our Task 1 chart types guide, and build the rest of your plan in the IELTS preparation hub.