The Task
The diagram below shows how rain forms.
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 8 stages. It is a natural process shown as a linear sequence: water on the surface turns into vapour, forms clouds and finally falls back to the ground as rain.
Phase 1 – Water rises into the air (Stages 1–4)
- 1HeatingThe sun heats water on the surface.
- 2EvaporationWater evaporates and becomes vapour.
- 3Rising and coolingThe vapour rises and cools.
- 4CondensationVapour condenses on dust into tiny droplets.
Phase 2 – Clouds and rain (Stages 5–8)
- 5Cloud formationMillions of droplets form a cloud.
- 6Droplets joinDroplets collide and grow bigger.
- 7RainfallHeavy drops fall as rain.
- 8CollectingRainwater flows into rivers, lakes and seas.
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 Heating | First + the + N + heats + the + N + in + N, N and N |
| 2 Evaporation | Next + the + N + evaporates and becomes + N + N |
| 3 Rising and cooling | Then + the + N + N + goes up + into the + N + and gets + adj-er |
| 4 Condensation | After that + the + adj + N + changes into + adj + N + of + N + around + adj + N + of + N |
| 5 Cloud formation | In the second part + millions of + these + N + come together and make + a + N |
| 6 Droplets join | Next + the + adj + N + hit + each other and join together, so + they + get + adj-er |
| 7 Rainfall | After that + the + N + are + too + adj, so + they + fall + from the + N + as + N |
| 8 Collecting | Finally + the + N + goes into + N, N and N |
| Stage | Band 5.5 formula |
|---|---|
| 1 Heating | To begin with + the + N + heats + the + N + in + N, N and N |
| 2 Evaporation | Next + the + N + evaporates and turns into + N + N |
| 3 Rising and cooling | After that + the + N + N + rises + into the + N, and + it + becomes + adj-er + as + it + goes higher |
| 4 Condensation | Next + the + adj + N + condenses + around + adj + N + of + N + and forms + adv + adj + N + N |
| 5 Cloud formation | In the second stage + millions of + these + N + gather together and form + a + N |
| 6 Droplets join | Inside the cloud + the + N + hit + each other and join together, so + they + become + adj-er |
| 7 Rainfall | When + the + N + become + too + adj, they + fall + to the + N + as + N |
| 8 Collecting | Finally + the + N + flows into + N, N and N |
| Stage | Band 6.5 formula |
|---|---|
| 1 Heating | The process begins when + the + N + heats + adj + N + in + N, N and N |
| 2 Evaporation | As a result + the + N + evaporates, V-ing + from a + N + into + N + N |
| 3 Rising and cooling | Following this + the + N + rises into + the + N, where + it + adverb + cools |
| 4 Condensation | Once + S + has + V3 + the + N + condenses around + adj + N + N, forming + adj + N + N |
| 5 Cloud formation | Turning to the second phase + millions of + these + N + gather together + to + V + a + N |
| 6 Droplets join | Inside the cloud + the + N + collide and join together, and as a result + they + grow + adj-er |
| 7 Rainfall | When + the + N + become + too + adj + to + V + in the + N, they + fall to + N + as + N |
| 8 Collecting | In the final stage + the + N + flows into + N, N and N |
| Stage | Band 7.5 formula |
|---|---|
| 1 Heating | The process is initiated by + the + N + V-ing + adj + N + in + N, N and N |
| 2 Evaporation | This causes + N + to + V, V-ing + it + from a + N + into a + N + V3 + as + N |
| 3 Rising and cooling | As + S + V + into + N, it + cools + adverb + with + adj + N |
| 4 Condensation | Having + V3 + adverb + the + N + condenses around + adj + N + N, producing + adj + N + N |
| 5 Cloud formation | Turning to the second phase + millions of + these + N + cluster together, resulting in the formation of + a + N |
| 6 Droplets join | Within the cloud + the + N + collide and merge, adverb + V-ing + in + N |
| 7 Rainfall | Once + S + V + too + adj + to + V + adj + the + N + fall to + N + as + N |
| 8 Collecting | Finally + this + N + collects in + N, 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 – 8 sentences
Đầu tiên, mặt trời làm nóng (heats) nước ở biển, hồ và sông.
Tiếp theo, nước bốc hơi (evaporates) và trở thành hơi nước.
Sau đó, hơi nước bay lên (goes up) bầu trời và trở nên lạnh hơn.
Sau đó, hơi nước lạnh biến thành (changes into) những giọt nước rất nhỏ quanh các hạt bụi nhỏ.
Ở phần thứ hai, hàng triệu giọt nước này tụ lại (come together) và tạo thành một đám mây.
Tiếp theo, những giọt nhỏ va vào nhau và kết hợp (join) lại, vì vậy chúng to hơn.
Sau đó, các giọt nước quá nặng (too heavy), vì vậy chúng rơi khỏi đám mây thành mưa.
Cuối cùng, nước mưa chảy (goes) vào sông, hồ và biển.
Band 5.5 – 8 sentences
Trước tiên, mặt trời làm nóng nước ở biển, hồ và sông (rivers).
Tiếp theo, nước bốc hơi và biến thành (turns into) hơi nước.
Sau đó, hơi nước bay lên bầu trời, và nó trở nên lạnh hơn khi (as) lên cao hơn.
Tiếp theo, hơi nước nguội ngưng tụ (condenses) quanh các hạt bụi nhỏ và tạo thành những giọt nước rất nhỏ.
Ở giai đoạn thứ hai, hàng triệu giọt nước này tập hợp (gather) lại và tạo thành một đám mây.
Bên trong đám mây, các giọt nước va vào nhau và kết hợp lại, vì vậy chúng trở nên lớn hơn (larger).
Khi (When) các giọt nước trở nên quá nặng, chúng rơi xuống mặt đất thành mưa.
Cuối cùng, nước mưa chảy (flows) vào sông, hồ và biển.
Band 6.5 – 8 sentences
Quá trình bắt đầu khi mặt trời làm nóng nước bề mặt (surface water) ở biển, hồ và sông.
Kết quả là, nước bốc hơi, chuyển (changing) từ thể lỏng thành hơi nước.
Tiếp sau đó, hơi nước bốc lên khí quyển (atmosphere), nơi nó nguội dần.
Khi đã nguội, hơi nước ngưng tụ quanh các hạt bụi nhỏ, tạo thành (forming) những giọt nước li ti.
Chuyển sang giai đoạn thứ hai, hàng triệu giọt nước này tụ lại để hình thành (to form) một đám mây.
Bên trong đám mây, các giọt nước va chạm (collide) và kết hợp lại, kết quả là chúng lớn dần.
Khi các giọt nước trở nên quá nặng để ở lại trong không khí, chúng rơi xuống đất thành mưa (as rain).
Ở giai đoạn cuối, nước mưa chảy vào sông, hồ và biển (seas).
Band 7.5 – 8 sentences
Quá trình được khởi đầu (is initiated) bởi việc mặt trời làm nóng nước bề mặt ở biển, hồ và sông.
Điều này khiến nước bốc hơi, chuyển nó từ thể lỏng thành một chất khí được gọi là (known as) hơi nước.
Khi hơi nước bốc lên khí quyển, nó nguội dần đều khi độ cao (altitude) tăng lên.
Sau khi đã nguội đủ (sufficiently), hơi nước ngưng tụ quanh các hạt bụi cực nhỏ, tạo ra những giọt nước li ti.
Chuyển sang giai đoạn thứ hai, hàng triệu giọt nước này kết tụ lại, dẫn đến (resulting in) sự hình thành một đám mây.
Bên trong đám mây, các giọt nước va chạm và hợp nhất (merge), dần dần tăng kích thước.
Một khi trở nên quá nặng để lơ lửng (airborne) trong không khí, các giọt nước rơi xuống đất thành mưa.
Cuối cùng, nước mưa này tích tụ (collects) trong sông, hồ và biển.
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.
- , the sun heats the water in seas.
- The water evaporates becomes water vapour.
- The water vapour goes up the sky.
- The vapour changes into tiny drops small pieces of dust.
- the second part, the drops make a cloud.
- The drops join together, they get bigger.
- The drops fall the cloud as rain.
- , the rainwater goes into rivers.
Part B – Translate with Band 4.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Đầu tiên (First), mặt trời làm nóng nước ở biển.
Tiếp theo (Next), nước bốc hơi.
Sau đó (Then), hơi nước bay lên bầu trời.
Các giọt nước quá nặng, vì vậy (so) chúng rơi xuống.
Cuối cùng (Finally), nước mưa chảy vào sông.
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.
- , the sun heats the water.
- The water evaporates and turns water vapour.
- It becomes cooler it goes higher.
- The vapour condenses tiny pieces of dust.
- Millions of droplets gather together form a cloud.
- the cloud, the droplets join together.
- the drops become too heavy, they fall.
- , the rainwater flows into rivers.
Part B – Translate with Band 5.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Trước tiên (To begin with), mặt trời làm nóng nước.
Hơi nước lạnh hơn khi (as) lên cao hơn.
Ở giai đoạn thứ hai (In the second stage), các giọt nước tạo thành mây.
Bên trong (Inside) đám mây, các giọt nước kết hợp lại.
Khi (When) các giọt nước quá nặng, chúng rơi xuống.
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 the sun heats surface water.
- The water evaporates, from a liquid into water vapour.
- The vapour rises into the atmosphere, it gradually cools.
- it has cooled, the vapour condenses.
- The vapour condenses, minute water droplets.
- The droplets collide and join together, and as a they grow larger.
- The drops become too heavy stay in the air.
- , the rainwater flows into rivers, lakes and seas.
Part B – Translate with Band 6.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Quá trình bắt đầu khi (when) mặt trời làm nóng nước bề mặt.
Hơi nước bốc lên khí quyển, nơi (where) nó nguội dần.
Khi đã (Once) nguội, hơi nước ngưng tụ.
Chuyển sang (Turning to) giai đoạn thứ hai, các giọt nước tạo thành mây.
Các giọt nước quá nặng để (too heavy to) ở lại trong không khí.
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 is by the sun heating surface water.
- This causes the water evaporate.
- It cools steadily with increasing .
- cooled sufficiently, the vapour condenses.
- The vapour condenses around dust particles.
- The droplets cluster together, resulting the formation of a cloud.
- The droplets collide and , increasing in size.
- They become too heavy to remain .
Part B – Translate with Band 7.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Quá trình được khởi đầu (is initiated) bởi mặt trời làm nóng nước bề mặt.
Điều này khiến (causes) nước bốc hơi.
Sau khi đã nguội đủ (Having cooled), hơi nước ngưng tụ.
Các giọt nước kết tụ, dẫn đến (resulting in) sự hình thành mây.
Một khi (Once) trở nên quá nặng, các giọt nước rơi xuống thành mưa.
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 |
| how rain forms | how rain is formed | the process of rain formation | the stages in the formation of rain | the sequence of natural stages that lead to rainfall |
| from the heating of surface water | beginning with the heating of surface water by the sun | |||
| to the collection of rainwater in rivers and seas | and ending with the collection of rainwater in rivers and seas |
The diagram shows how rain is formed.
Band 4.5: changes the active “rain forms” into the passive “rain is formed” – simple and correct.
The diagram illustrates the process of rain formation, from the heating of water to rainfall.
Band 5.5: a common reporting verb (illustrates) and a noun phrase (the process of rain formation).
The diagram illustrates the stages in the formation of rain, from the heating of surface water to the collection of rainwater in rivers and seas.
Band 6.5: nominalisation (the formation of, the heating of, the collection of) gives an accurate, academic paraphrase.
The given diagram depicts the sequence of natural stages that lead to rainfall, beginning with the heating of surface water by the sun and ending with the collection of rainwater in rivers and seas.
Band 7.5: precise verb (depicts), a relative clause inside the noun phrase (stages that lead to rainfall) and a balanced “beginning with … and ending with …”.
The diagram shows / illustrates / depicts how rain is formed / the formation of rain, from the heating of surface water to the collection of rainwater in rivers and seas.
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 “dust particles”, “millions of droplets” or names of seas and rivers).
Band 4.5 formula
Overall, there are eight steps in this process. It starts with the sun heating water and finishes with rain going into rivers, lakes and seas.
Why Band 4.5: Two short simple sentences, basic words (steps, starts, finishes), no phases.
Band 5.5 formula
Overall, there are eight stages in the process. In the first four stages, water goes up into the air and changes into small droplets, and in the last four stages, clouds form and rain falls. The water changes from a liquid into a gas and then back into a liquid.
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 eight stages, which can be divided into two main phases: water rising into the air and the formation of clouds and rain. During the process, water changes from a liquid into a gas and back into a liquid again.
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, rain formation involves eight distinct stages, which fall into two main phases – the movement of water into the atmosphere and the subsequent formation of clouds and rain – with water changing from a liquid into a gas and ultimately back into a liquid.
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 1–4 (Water rises into the air) → Body 2: Stages 5–8 (Clouds and rain). Your writing is saved on this device.
Exercise 1 – Match the paraphrase
Choose the best synonym for each word from the task.
- shows →
- forms →
- rain →
- rises →
- tiny →
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, the sun the water in seas, lakes and rivers. Next, the water and becomes water vapour. Then, the water vapour goes up into the sky and gets . After that, the cold vapour changes into tiny of water around small pieces of dust.
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, the sun heats the water in seas, lakes and rivers. Next, the water evaporates and into water vapour. After that, the water vapour into the sky, and it becomes cooler it goes higher. Next, the cool vapour around tiny pieces of dust and forms very small water droplets.
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 when the sun heats water in seas, lakes and rivers. As a result, the water , changing from a liquid into water vapour. Following this, the vapour rises into the , where it gradually cools. Once it has cooled, the vapour condenses around tiny dust , forming minute water droplets.
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 is by the sun heating surface water in seas, lakes and rivers. This causes the water to evaporate, it from a liquid into a gas known as water vapour. As this vapour rises into the atmosphere, it cools steadily with increasing . Having cooled sufficiently, the vapour condenses around dust particles, producing minute water droplets.
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 1–4)
Write the stages in order with a different linker for each.
Words: 0 (about 55–75 words)
Exercise 8 – Body 2 (Stages 5–8)
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.