The Task
The diagram below shows the rock cycle, the natural process by which rocks change from one type to another.
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 7 stages. It is a natural process shown as a cycle: rocks are broken down at the surface, change deep underground and are finally pushed back to the surface.
Phase 1 – At or near the surface (Stages 1–3)
- 1Weathering and erosionRocks at the surface are broken down by wind, rain and ice.
- 2Deposition of sedimentRivers carry the sediment to the sea, where it settles in layers.
- 3Sedimentary rock formsThe layers are pressed together and harden into sedimentary rock.
Phase 2 – Deep underground and back to the surface (Stages 4–7)
- 4Metamorphic rock formsDeep underground, heat and pressure change the rock into metamorphic rock.
- 5Melting into magmaVery high temperatures melt the rock into magma.
- 6Igneous rock formsThe magma cools and hardens into igneous rock.
- 7UpliftMovements of the Earth push the rock back up to the surface.
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 Weathering and erosion | First + N + on + N + are + V3 + into + adj + N + by + N |
| 2 Deposition of sediment | Next + N + carry + N + to + N, and + they + fall + to + N + in + N |
| 3 Sedimentary rock forms | Then + N + are + V3 + together + and become + adj + N + over + time |
| 4 Metamorphic rock forms | In the second part + N + goes + deep under + N, and + N and N + change + it + into + adj + N |
| 5 Melting into magma | Next + N + gets + adj + and melts + into + N |
| 6 Igneous rock forms | After that + N + cools and becomes + adj + adj + N |
| 7 Uplift | Finally + N + is + V3 + up + to + N, and + the cycle + starts again |
| Stage | Band 5.5 formula |
|---|---|
| 1 Weathering and erosion | To begin with + N + are + phrasal V3 + by + N, and + adj + N + are + phrasal V3 |
| 2 Deposition of sediment | After that + N, called + N + are + V3 + by + N + and + V3 + in + N + on + N |
| 3 Sedimentary rock forms | Over + time + these + N + are + V3 + together + and turn into + adj + N |
| 4 Metamorphic rock forms | In the second stage + N + is + V3 + deep underground, where + N and N + change + it + into + adj + N |
| 5 Melting into magma | After this + N + is + V3 + even more + and melts + into + adj + N + called + N |
| 6 Igneous rock forms | Then + N + cools down and hardens into + adj + N |
| 7 Uplift | Finally + N + of + N + push + N + up + to + N, and + the cycle + begins again |
| Stage | Band 6.5 formula |
|---|---|
| 1 Weathering and erosion | The cycle begins when + N + are + phrasal V3 + by + N, a process known as + N |
| 2 Deposition of sediment | Following this + the resulting + N + is + precise V3 + by + N + and + V3 + in + N + on + N |
| 3 Sedimentary rock forms | Over + time + N + are + precise V3, which + turns + them + into + adj + N |
| 4 Metamorphic rock forms | Turning to the + N + N + is + V3 + deep below + N, where + adj + N and N + transform + it + into + adj + N |
| 5 Melting into magma | If + S + V + further + N + melts and becomes + N, a + adj + adj + N (appositive) |
| 6 Igneous rock forms | Once + S + V + it + solidifies into + adj + N |
| 7 Uplift | In the final stage + N + is + precise V3 + back + to + N + by + N, where + the cycle + starts again |
| Stage | Band 7.5 formula |
|---|---|
| 1 Weathering and erosion | The cycle commences with + the + N and N + of + N + by + N |
| 2 Deposition of sediment | Subsequently + the resulting + N + is + V3 + by + N + and + phrasal V3 + in + adj + N + on + N |
| 3 Sedimentary rock forms | Over + time + the weight of + adj + N + compresses + those beneath, forming + adj + N |
| 4 Metamorphic rock forms | Turning to the + N, once + V3 + deep below + N, N + is subjected to + adj + N and N, which + transforms + it + into + adj + N |
| 5 Melting into magma | As + S + V + further + N + melts, turning into + adj + N |
| 6 Igneous rock forms | Upon + V-ing + this + N + solidifies, giving rise to + adj + N |
| 7 Uplift | In the final stage + N + of + N + force + N + back + to + N, from where + the cycle + begins anew |
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 – 7 sentences
Đầu tiên, đá trên bề mặt bị gió, mưa và băng làm vỡ (broken) thành những mảnh nhỏ.
Tiếp theo, sông mang những mảnh nhỏ ra biển, và chúng lắng (fall) xuống đáy thành từng lớp.
Sau đó, các lớp bị ép (pressed) lại với nhau và trở thành đá trầm tích qua hàng triệu năm.
Ở phần thứ hai, đá đi sâu xuống lòng đất, và nhiệt cùng áp suất biến đổi (change) nó thành đá biến chất.
Tiếp theo, đá trở nên rất nóng và tan chảy (melts) thành mắc-ma.
Sau đó, mắc-ma nguội đi (cools) và trở thành đá mácma cứng.
Cuối cùng, đá bị đẩy (pushed) lên bề mặt, và chu trình bắt đầu lại.
Band 5.5 – 7 sentences
Trước tiên, đá ở bề mặt bị gió, mưa và băng phá vỡ, và các mảnh nhỏ bị cuốn đi (carried away).
Sau đó, những mảnh này, gọi là trầm tích (sediment), được sông mang đi và lắng thành lớp ở đáy biển.
Qua hàng triệu năm, những lớp này bị nén lại với nhau và biến thành (turn into) đá trầm tích.
Ở giai đoạn thứ hai, đá bị đẩy (pushed) sâu xuống lòng đất, nơi nhiệt và áp suất biến nó thành đá biến chất.
Sau bước này, đá bị nung nóng hơn nữa và tan chảy thành đá lỏng gọi là (called) mắc-ma.
Sau đó, mắc-ma nguội đi và đông cứng (hardens) thành đá mácma.
Cuối cùng, các chuyển động của Trái Đất đẩy đá lên bề mặt (surface), và chu trình bắt đầu lại.
Band 6.5 – 7 sentences
Chu trình bắt đầu khi đá ở bề mặt bị gió, mưa và băng bào mòn (worn down), một quá trình được gọi là phong hoá và xói mòn.
Tiếp theo đó, trầm tích tạo thành được sông vận chuyển và bồi lắng (deposited) thành lớp ở đáy biển.
Qua hàng triệu năm, các lớp bị nén chặt (compressed), điều này biến chúng thành đá trầm tích.
Chuyển sang giai đoạn dưới lòng đất, đá bị vùi (buried) sâu dưới bề mặt, nơi nhiệt và áp suất lớn biến nó thành đá biến chất.
Nếu nhiệt độ tăng (rises) thêm, đá tan chảy và trở thành mắc-ma, một loại đá lỏng nóng.
Một khi mắc-ma nguội đi, nó đông đặc (solidifies) thành đá mácma.
Ở giai đoạn cuối, đá được nâng (lifted) trở lại bề mặt bởi các chuyển động của Trái Đất, nơi chu trình bắt đầu lại.
Band 7.5 – 7 sentences
Chu trình bắt đầu với sự phong hoá và xói mòn (erosion) đá bề mặt do gió, mưa và băng.
Sau đó, trầm tích tạo thành được sông vận chuyển và lắng đọng (laid down) thành các lớp nối tiếp nhau ở đáy biển.
Qua hàng triệu năm, sức nặng của các lớp phía trên nén (compresses) các lớp bên dưới, tạo thành đá trầm tích.
Chuyển sang giai đoạn dưới lòng đất, một khi bị vùi sâu, đá chịu tác động (subjected to) của nhiệt và áp suất lớn, điều này biến nó thành đá biến chất.
Khi nhiệt độ tiếp tục tăng, đá tan chảy, chuyển thành mắc-ma nóng chảy (molten).
Khi nguội đi, mắc-ma này đông đặc lại, hình thành nên (giving rise to) đá mácma.
Ở giai đoạn cuối, các chuyển động của vỏ Trái Đất (crust) đẩy đá trở lại bề mặt, từ đó chu trình bắt đầu lại.
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.
- , rocks on the surface are broken into small pieces.
- Rivers carry the pieces to the sea, they fall to the bottom.
- , the layers are pressed together.
- The layers become rock millions of years.
- , the rock gets very hot and melts.
- The rock melts magma.
- , the magma cools and becomes igneous rock.
- , the rock is pushed up to the surface.
Part B – Translate with Band 4.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Đầu tiên (First), đá bị vỡ thành những mảnh nhỏ.
Tiếp theo (Next), sông mang các mảnh nhỏ ra biển.
Sau đó (Then), các lớp bị ép lại với nhau.
Sau đó (After that), mắc-ma nguội đi.
Cuối cùng (Finally), đá bị đẩy lên bề mặt.
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.
- , rocks at the surface are broken down.
- The pieces, sediment, are carried by rivers.
- millions of years, the layers are pressed together.
- the second stage, the rock is pushed deep underground.
- The rock is pushed underground, heat and pressure change it.
- this, the rock melts into magma.
- The magma cools down hardens into igneous rock.
- , the rock is pushed up to the surface.
Part B – Translate with Band 5.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Trước tiên (To begin with), đá ở bề mặt bị phá vỡ.
Những mảnh nhỏ, gọi là (called) trầm tích, được sông mang đi.
Qua hàng triệu năm (Over millions of years), các lớp trở thành đá.
Ở giai đoạn thứ hai (In the second stage), đá bị đẩy sâu xuống lòng đất.
Đá đi xuống lòng đất, nơi mà (where) nhiệt làm nó biến đổi.
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 cycle begins rocks are worn down by wind, rain and ice.
- This is a process as weathering and erosion.
- this, the sediment is transported by rivers.
- The layers are compressed, turns them into sedimentary rock.
- the underground phase, the rock is buried deep below the surface.
- the temperature rises further, the rock melts.
- the magma cools, it solidifies into igneous rock.
- , the rock is lifted back to the surface.
Part B – Translate with Band 6.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Chu trình bắt đầu khi (when) đá bị gió và mưa bào mòn.
Đây là một quá trình được biết đến là (known as) phong hoá.
Chuyển sang (Turning to) giai đoạn dưới lòng đất, đá bị vùi sâu.
Nếu (If) nhiệt độ tăng thêm, đá tan chảy.
Một khi (Once) mắc-ma nguội đi, nó đông đặc lại.
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 cycle commences the weathering and erosion of surface rocks.
- , the sediment is laid down in successive layers.
- The upper layers compress those beneath, sedimentary rock.
- The rock is to intense heat and pressure.
- temperatures rise further, the rock melts.
- cooling, the magma solidifies.
- The magma solidifies, giving to igneous rock.
- The rock returns to the surface, from the cycle begins anew.
Part B – Translate with Band 7.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Chu trình bắt đầu với (commences with) sự phong hoá đá bề mặt.
Sau đó (Subsequently), trầm tích được lắng đọng thành lớp.
Các lớp trên nén các lớp dưới, tạo thành (forming) đá trầm tích.
Khi nguội đi (Upon cooling), mắc-ma đông đặc lại.
Đá trở lại bề mặt, từ đó (from where) chu trình lặp lại.
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 rock cycle | the rock cycle | a natural process called the rock cycle | the rock cycle | the rock cycle |
| the natural process by which rocks change | how rocks change | how rocks change | showing how rocks are changed | the continuous natural process through which rocks are transformed |
| from one type to another | from one type to another | from one type to another | from one type into another | from one type into another |
The diagram shows how rocks change from one type to another in the rock cycle.
Band 4.5: clear but copies most of the task words; only a small change (how rocks change).
The diagram illustrates how rocks change from one type to another in a natural process called the rock cycle.
Band 5.5: a common reporting verb (illustrates), a simple how-clause and a short explanation of the technical name.
The diagram illustrates the rock cycle, showing how rocks are changed from one type into another by natural processes.
Band 6.5: a participle clause (showing how …) with a passive verb (are changed) and an accurate added phrase (by natural processes).
The given diagram depicts the rock cycle, the continuous natural process through which rocks are transformed from one type into another.
Band 7.5: precise verb (depicts), an appositive noun phrase with a through-which clause and a precise passive (are transformed).
The diagram shows / illustrates / depicts the rock cycle, showing how rocks change / the process through which rocks are transformed from one type to / into another.
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 “wind, rain and ice”, “millions of years”, “heat and pressure” or rock-type details).
Band 4.5 formula
Overall, there are seven steps in this cycle. It starts with rocks breaking into small pieces and finishes with rocks going back up to the surface, so it is a cycle.
Why Band 4.5: Two short simple sentences, basic words (steps, starts, finishes), no phases.
Band 5.5 formula
Overall, there are seven stages in the cycle. The first three stages happen on or near the Earth's surface, and the last four happen mostly deep underground. The cycle begins with rocks being broken down and ends with rock returning to the surface, so it is a cyclical process.
Why Band 5.5: Names the two parts in simple words; begins with … ends with …; no numbers or details.
Band 6.5 formula
Overall, there are seven stages in the cycle, which can be divided into two main phases: changes at or near the surface and changes deep underground. The cycle begins with the weathering of surface rocks and ends with the return of rock to the surface, so it is a cyclical process.
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, the cycle comprises seven distinct stages, which fall into two main phases – surface processes and changes deep within the Earth – commencing with the weathering of surface rock and culminating in its uplift to the surface, from where the cycle repeats.
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 1–3 (At or near the surface) → Body 2: Stages 4–7 (Deep underground and back to the surface). Your writing is saved on this device.
Exercise 1 – Match the paraphrase
Choose the best synonym for each word from the task.
- shows →
- change →
- process →
- by which →
- below →
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, rocks on the surface are broken into small pieces by wind, rain and . Next, carry the small pieces to the sea, and they fall to the in layers. Then, the layers are together and become sedimentary rock over of years.
Exercise 4 – Put Body 2 in order (Band 4.5)
Choose 1–4 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, rocks at the surface are broken by wind, rain and ice, and the small pieces are carried away. After that, the pieces, called , are carried by rivers and in layers on the sea floor. Over of years, these layers are pressed together and turn into rock.
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 cycle begins rocks at the surface are worn down by wind, rain and ice, a process as weathering and erosion. Following this, the resulting sediment is by rivers and deposited in layers on the sea bed. Over millions of years, the layers are , turns them into sedimentary rock.
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 cycle commences with the weathering and of surface rocks by wind, rain and ice. Subsequently, the resulting sediment is transported by rivers and down in successive layers on the sea bed. Over millions of years, the of the upper layers compresses those , sedimentary rock.
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 1–3)
Write the stages in order with a different linker for each.
Words: 0 (about 55–75 words)
Exercise 8 – Body 2 (Stages 4–7)
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.