The Task
The diagram below shows the process of making chipboard from wood.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
1How many stages? Name them.
The diagram has 9 stages. It is a man-made process shown as a linear sequence – from cutting down trees in a forest to using the finished chipboard to make furniture.
Phase 1 – Preparing the wood (Stages 1–5)
- 1Cutting down treesTrees are cut down in a forest.
- 2TrimmingThe trunks are trimmed into logs.
- 3ChippingA machine turns the logs into wood chips.
- 4DryingThe chips are dried with hot air for 24 hours.
- 5StoringThe dry chips are stored for 1–4 weeks.
Phase 2 – Making chipboard (Stages 6–9)
- 6MixingChips are mixed with glue and wax.
- 7ShapingThe mixture is spread into a mould.
- 8PressingThe mixture is pressed into chipboard.
- 9Making furnitureThe chipboard is used to make furniture.
3Sentence Formulas
The structure behind each Band 6.5 sentence. Change the band on the left to see another level.
| Stage | Band 4.5 formula |
|---|---|
| 1 Cutting down trees | First + N + are + V3 + down + in a + N |
| 2 Trimming | Next + the + N + are + V3 + into + N |
| 3 Chipping | Then + the + N + are + V3 + into a + N, and + they + become + adj + N + N |
| 4 Drying | After that + the + N + are + V3 + with + adj + N + for + time, and + N + comes out |
| 5 Storing | Next + the + adj + N + are + V3 + in + adj + N + for + time |
| 6 Mixing | In the second part + the + N + are + V3 + into a + N + with + N and N |
| 7 Shaping | Next + the + N + is + V3 + into a + N |
| 8 Pressing | After that + a + N + presses + it + and + it + becomes + N |
| 9 Making furniture | Finally + the + N + is + V3 + to + make + N + like + N and N |
| Stage | Band 5.5 formula |
|---|---|
| 1 Cutting down trees | To begin with + N + are + V3 + down + in a + N |
| 2 Trimming | Next + the + N + are + V3 + into + N |
| 3 Chipping | After that + the + N + are + V3 + into a + N, where + they + are + V3 + into + N + N |
| 4 Drying | Next + the + N + N + are + V3 + with + adj + N + for + time, and + N + is + V3 |
| 5 Storing | After that + the + adj + N + are + V3 + in + adj + N + for + time |
| 6 Mixing | In the second stage + the + N + are + V3 + in a + N, where + N and N + are + V3 |
| 7 Shaping | Then + the + N + is + V3 + into a + N + to + give it + a + N |
| 8 Pressing | After that + it + is + V3 + by a + N + to + make + N |
| 9 Making furniture | Finally + the + N + is + V3 + to + make + N + such as + N and N |
| Stage | Band 6.5 formula |
|---|---|
| 1 Cutting down trees | The process begins with + N + being + V3 + down + in a + N |
| 2 Trimming | After this + the + N + are + V3 + into + N |
| 3 Chipping | Following this + the + N + are + V3 + into a + N + N, which + cuts them into + adj + N + N |
| 4 Drying | S + are then + V3 + with + adj + N + for + time, during which + N + is + V3 |
| 5 Storing | Once + V3 + the + N + are + V3 + in + adj + N + for between + number + and + time |
| 6 Mixing | Turning to the production phase + the + N + are + V3 + in a + N, where + N and N + are + V3 |
| 7 Shaping | S + is then + V3 + into a + N + to give it shape |
| 8 Pressing | Following this + it + is + V3 + by a + N + to produce + N |
| 9 Making furniture | In the final stage + the + N + is + V3 + to + V + N + such as + N and N |
| Stage | Band 7.5 formula |
|---|---|
| 1 Cutting down trees | The process commences with + the + N-ing + of + N + in a + N |
| 2 Trimming | Subsequently + the + V3-adj + N + are + V3 + into + N |
| 3 Chipping | These + N + are then + V3 + into a + N + N, which + breaks them down into + adj + N + N |
| 4 Drying | Following this + the + N + are + V3 + for + time + by means of + adj + N, a process that + V + N |
| 5 Storing | Once + S + have been + V3 + the + N + are + V3 + in + adj + N + for a period of + time |
| 6 Mixing | Turning to the production phase + the + N + are + V3 + with + N and N + in a + N |
| 7 Shaping | The resulting + N + is then + V3 + adverb + into a + N |
| 8 Pressing | This is followed by + adj + N, which + transforms + the + N + into + N |
| 9 Making furniture | Finally + the + adj + N + is + V3 + in the manufacture of + N, such as + N and N |
4Linkers – Sequencing Words & Transitions
Use a different linker for each stage – never “Then … Then … Then”. These are the linkers for Band 6.5.
Beginning
- First
Next step
- Next
- Then
- After that
Ending
- Finally
Joining
- … and + V3 (are taken out and put …)
- to + V (to make)
Beginning
- To begin with
- First of all
Next step
- After that / After this
- Next
- Then
Change of place / phase
- In the second stage, …
- In the factory, …
Ending
- Finally
Joining
- …, and then …
- … called + N
Beginning
- The process begins when …
- The process begins with + N
Next step
- Following this
- Subsequently
- Next
Time clauses
- Once + adj (Once dry, …)
- After + N (After fermentation, …)
Inside a stage
- …, where + clause
- …, which + verb
- … known as + N
- …, a stage which lasts …
Change of phase
- Turning to the … stage, …
Ending
- In the final stage
Beginning
- The process commences with + the + N of + N
Time
- Once + V3 (Once extracted, …)
- Following + N (Following roasting, …)
Next step
- Subsequently
- To complete the … phase, …
Result phrases
- …, leaving only + N
- …, producing + N
- …, resulting in + N
Naming
- … referred to as + N
- … ranging from X to Y
Ending
- In the final stage
- … culminating in + N
5Translation Practice – Vietnamese → English
Translate each sentence into English. The word in ( ) is the key word you must use. Check the Tense note, write your answer, then press Show answer.
Band 4.5 – 9 sentences
Đầu tiên, cây được đốn hạ (are cut down) trong rừng.
Tiếp theo, thân cây được cắt (are cut) thành khúc gỗ.
Sau đó, khúc gỗ được cho vào máy, và chúng trở thành (become) dăm gỗ nhỏ.
Sau đó, dăm gỗ được sấy (are dried) bằng khí nóng trong 24 giờ, và hơi nước thoát ra.
Tiếp theo, dăm gỗ khô được giữ (are kept) trong thùng chứa lớn từ một đến bốn tuần.
Ở phần thứ hai, dăm gỗ được cho (are put) vào máy trộn cùng với keo và sáp.
Tiếp theo, hỗn hợp được cho (is put) vào khuôn.
Sau đó, một cái máy ép (presses) nó và nó trở thành ván dăm.
Cuối cùng, ván dăm được dùng (is used) để làm đồ nội thất như bàn và ghế.
Band 5.5 – 9 sentences
Trước tiên (To begin with), cây được đốn hạ trong rừng.
Tiếp theo, thân cây được cắt tỉa (are trimmed) thành khúc gỗ.
Sau đó, khúc gỗ được cho vào máy, nơi (where) chúng được biến thành dăm gỗ.
Tiếp theo, dăm gỗ được sấy bằng khí nóng trong 24 giờ, và hơi nước được thải ra (is released).
Sau đó, dăm gỗ khô được lưu trữ (are stored) trong thùng chứa lớn từ một đến bốn tuần.
Ở giai đoạn thứ hai, dăm gỗ được đặt vào máy trộn, nơi keo và sáp được thêm vào (are added).
Sau đó, hỗn hợp được trải (is spread) vào khuôn để tạo hình cho nó.
Sau đó, nó được máy ép (is pressed) để làm thành ván dăm.
Cuối cùng, ván dăm được dùng để làm đồ nội thất như (such as) bàn và ghế.
Band 6.5 – 9 sentences
Quy trình bắt đầu với việc cây được đốn hạ (being cut down) trong rừng.
Sau đó, thân cây được cắt tỉa thành khúc gỗ (logs).
Tiếp sau đó, khúc gỗ được đưa vào máy băm (chipping machine), máy này cắt chúng thành dăm gỗ nhỏ.
Dăm gỗ sau đó được sấy bằng khí nóng trong 24 giờ, trong thời gian đó (during which) hơi nước thoát ra.
Một khi đã sấy khô (Once dried), dăm gỗ được lưu trữ trong thùng lớn từ một đến bốn tuần.
Chuyển sang giai đoạn sản xuất (production phase), dăm gỗ được đặt vào máy trộn, nơi keo và sáp được thêm vào.
Hỗn hợp sau đó được trải vào khuôn để tạo hình (give it shape).
Tiếp sau đó, nó được máy ép để sản xuất (to produce) ván dăm.
Ở giai đoạn cuối, ván dăm được dùng để làm đồ nội thất (furniture) như bàn và ghế.
Band 7.5 – 9 sentences
Quy trình bắt đầu với việc đốn hạ (the felling of) cây trong rừng.
Sau đó (Subsequently), những thân cây đã đốn được cắt tỉa thành khúc gỗ.
Những khúc gỗ này sau đó được đưa vào máy băm, máy này phân rã (breaks down) chúng thành dăm gỗ nhỏ.
Tiếp sau đó, dăm gỗ được sấy trong 24 giờ bằng (by means of) khí nóng, một quá trình thải ra hơi nước.
Một khi đã được sấy khô (have been dried), dăm gỗ được lưu trữ trong thùng lớn trong khoảng một đến bốn tuần.
Chuyển sang giai đoạn sản xuất, dăm gỗ được kết hợp (combined) với keo và sáp trong máy trộn.
Hỗn hợp thu được sau đó được trải đều (evenly) vào khuôn.
Tiếp theo là quá trình ép bằng máy, quá trình này biến đổi (transforms) hỗn hợp thành ván dăm.
Cuối cùng, ván dăm thành phẩm được dùng trong việc sản xuất (the manufacture of) đồ nội thất, như bàn và ghế.
6Linker Practice
Part A: drag (or tap) the linkers into the gaps. Part B: translate using the linker in ( ).
Part A – Band 4.5 linkers (8 sentences)
Computer: drag a linker into a gap. Phone: tap a linker, then tap a gap. Tap a filled gap to empty it.
- , trees are cut down in a forest.
- The trunks are cut logs.
- The logs are put into a machine, they become wood chips.
- The chips are dried with hot air 24 hours.
- the second part, the chips are put into a mixer.
- The chips are mixed glue and wax.
- A machine presses it and it chipboard.
- , the chipboard is used to make furniture.
Part B – Translate with Band 4.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Đầu tiên (First), cây được đốn hạ trong rừng.
Tiếp theo (Next), thân cây được cắt thành khúc.
Sau đó (Then), khúc gỗ được cho vào máy.
Sau đó (After that), dăm gỗ được sấy khô.
Cuối cùng (Finally), ván dăm được dùng làm đồ nội thất.
Part A – Band 5.5 linkers (8 sentences)
Computer: drag a linker into a gap. Phone: tap a linker, then tap a gap. Tap a filled gap to empty it.
- , trees are cut down in a forest.
- The trunks are into logs.
- The logs are put into a machine, they are turned into chips.
- Steam is during drying.
- The chips are in large containers.
- The chips are placed in a mixer, where glue and wax are .
- The mixture is spread into a mould give it a shape.
- The chipboard is used to make furniture, as tables.
Part B – Translate with Band 5.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Trước tiên (To begin with), cây được đốn hạ.
Khúc gỗ được cho vào máy, nơi (where) chúng được biến thành dăm.
Ở giai đoạn thứ hai (In the second stage), dăm được cho vào máy trộn.
Hỗn hợp được trải vào khuôn để (to) tạo hình.
Ván dăm được dùng làm đồ nội thất như (such as) bàn.
Part A – Band 6.5 linkers (8 sentences)
Computer: drag a linker into a gap. Phone: tap a linker, then tap a gap. Tap a filled gap to empty it.
- The process begins trees being cut down.
- The logs are fed into a chipping machine, cuts them into chips.
- The chips are dried for 24 hours, which steam is released.
- dried, the chips are stored.
- the production phase, the chips are placed in a mixer.
- The mixture is spread into a mould to give it .
- It is pressed by a machine to chipboard.
- , the chipboard is used to make furniture.
Part B – Translate with Band 6.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Quy trình bắt đầu với việc (begins with) cây được đốn hạ.
Khúc gỗ được đưa vào máy băm, máy này (which) cắt chúng thành dăm.
Dăm được sấy 24 giờ, trong thời gian đó (during which) hơi nước thoát ra.
Một khi đã sấy khô (Once dried), dăm được lưu trữ.
Chuyển sang (Turning to) giai đoạn sản xuất, dăm được trộn với keo.
Part A – Band 7.5 linkers (8 sentences)
Computer: drag a linker into a gap. Phone: tap a linker, then tap a gap. Tap a filled gap to empty it.
- The process commences with the of trees.
- , the felled trunks are trimmed into logs.
- A chipping machine breaks them into small chips.
- The chips are dried by of hot air.
- Once they have dried, the chips are stored.
- The mixture is spread into a mould.
- This is followed mechanical pressing.
- The chipboard is used in the of furniture.
Part B – Translate with Band 7.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Quy trình bắt đầu với việc đốn hạ (the felling of) cây.
Dăm được sấy bằng (by means of) khí nóng.
Một khi đã được sấy khô (Once they have been dried), dăm được lưu trữ.
Tiếp theo là (This is followed by) quá trình ép bằng máy.
Ván dăm được dùng trong việc sản xuất (the manufacture of) đồ nội thất.
7Introduction – Paraphrasing the Task
Paraphrase the task sentence. The column of your band is highlighted.
| Task words | Band 4.5 | Band 5.5 | Band 6.5 | Band 7.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The diagram below shows | The diagram shows | The diagram illustrates | The diagram illustrates | The given diagram depicts |
| the process of making chipboard | how chipboard is made | the process of producing chipboard | the various stages in the production of chipboard | the sequence of stages involved in manufacturing chipboard |
| from wood | from wood | from trees | from the cutting down of trees | from the felling of trees |
| to its use in making furniture | to its eventual use in the furniture industry |
The diagram shows how chipboard is made from wood.
Band 4.5: changes “the process of making chipboard” into “how chipboard is made” – simple and correct.
The diagram illustrates the process of producing chipboard from trees.
Band 5.5: a common reporting verb (illustrates) and a noun phrase (the process of producing).
The diagram illustrates the various stages in the production of chipboard, from the cutting down of trees to its use in making furniture.
Band 6.5: nominalisation (the production of, the cutting down of, its use) gives an accurate, academic paraphrase.
The given diagram depicts the sequence of stages involved in manufacturing chipboard, from the felling of trees to its eventual use in the furniture industry.
Band 7.5: precise verb (depicts), a complex noun phrase and accurate technical collocations (the felling of trees, the furniture industry).
The diagram shows / illustrates / depicts how chipboard is made / the production of chipboard, from the cutting down of trees to its use in making furniture.
8Overview
An overview gives the number of stages and the start and end; higher bands add the two main phases in more precise language. No details (no “24 hours”, “1–4 weeks”, “glue and wax” or “tables and chairs”).
Band 4.5 formula
Overall, there are nine steps in this process. It starts with cutting down trees and finishes with making furniture.
Why Band 4.5: Two short simple sentences, basic words (steps, starts, finishes), no phases.
Band 5.5 formula
Overall, there are nine stages in the process. The first five stages prepare the wood, and the last four stages turn the wood chips into chipboard and furniture. The process starts in a forest and ends with tables and chairs.
Why Band 5.5: Names the two parts in simple words; begins with … ends with …; no numbers or details.
Band 6.5 formula
Overall, the process consists of nine stages, which can be divided into two main phases: preparing the wood and making the chipboard. It begins with trees being cut down in a forest and ends with the chipboard being used to make furniture.
Why Band 6.5: A which-clause divides the stages into two phases; nominal phrases (the harvesting of, the production of).
Band 7.5 formula
Overall, chipboard production involves nine distinct stages, which fall into two main phases – the preparation of the raw wood and the manufacture of the board itself – commencing with the felling of trees and culminating in the use of the finished material to make furniture.
Why Band 7.5: comprises · distinct · fall into · dashes for the phases · commencing with … culminating in … in ONE sentence.
9Writing Practice
Essay plan: Introduction → Overview → Body 1: Stages 1–5 (Preparing the wood) → Body 2: Stages 6–9 (Making chipboard). Your writing is saved on this device.
Exercise 1 – Match the paraphrase
Choose the best synonym for each word from the task.
- shows →
- making →
- cut down →
- put into →
- kept →
Exercise 2 – Choose the best Overview
Which sentence is a good overview?
Exercise 3 – Complete Body 1 (Band 4.5)
Type ONE word in each gap. Look at the diagram for the details.
First, trees are down in a forest. Next, the trunks are cut into . Then, the logs are put into a machine, and they become small wood . After that, the chips are with hot air for 24 hours, and steam comes out.
Exercise 4 – Put Body 2 in order (Band 4.5)
Choose 1–5 for each sentence.
Exercise 3 – Complete Body 1 (Band 5.5)
Type ONE word in each gap. Look at the diagram for the details.
To begin with, trees are cut down in a . Next, the trunks are into logs. After that, the logs are put into a machine, they are turned into wood chips. Next, the wood chips are dried with hot air for 24 hours, and steam is .
Exercise 4 – Put Body 2 in order (Band 5.5)
Choose 1–4 for each sentence.
Exercise 3 – Complete Body 1 (Band 6.5)
Type ONE word in each gap. Look at the diagram for the details.
The process begins with trees being down in a forest. After this, the trunks are trimmed into . Following this, the logs are fed into a machine, which cuts them into small wood chips. The chips are then dried with hot air for 24 hours, which steam is released.
Exercise 4 – Put Body 2 in order (Band 6.5)
Choose 1–4 for each sentence.
Exercise 3 – Complete Body 1 (Band 7.5)
Type ONE word in each gap. Look at the diagram for the details.
The process commences with the of trees in a forest. Subsequently, the felled trunks are into logs. These logs are then fed into a chipping machine, which breaks them into small wood chips. Following this, the chips are dried for 24 hours by of hot air, a process that releases steam.
Exercise 4 – Put Body 2 in order (Band 7.5)
Choose 1–4 for each sentence.
Write your essay – paragraph by paragraph
Use the Band 6.5 formulas, linkers and samples from Steps 3–8. Check the Band Standard on the left before you write.
Exercise 5 – Introduction
One sentence. Paraphrase the task (Step 7).
Words: 0 (about 20–30 words)
Exercise 6 – Overview
Use the formula for your band (Step 8).
Words: 0 (about 25–45 words)
Exercise 7 – Body 1 (Stages 1–5)
Write the stages in order with a different linker for each.
Words: 0 (about 55–75 words)
Exercise 8 – Body 2 (Stages 6–9)
Start with a phase change (In the factory / Turning to …).
Words: 0 (about 50–70 words)
Exercise 9 – Your full essay
Press “Collect my paragraphs”, then edit them into one essay and compare with the model.
Words: 0 (minimum 150)
Model Answer 6.5
Write your own essay first, then compare. Highlighted = key collocations to learn.