The Task
The diagram below shows how black tea is produced.
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 man-made process shown as a linear sequence – from picking fresh green leaves on the plantation to sending packed black tea to shops.
Phase 1 – Preparing the leaves (Stages 1–4)
- 1PickingThe top leaves are picked by hand.
- 2WitheringLeaves are spread on racks to lose moisture.
- 3RollingThe leaves are rolled by machine.
- 4Oxidising*The leaves oxidise and turn brown.
Phase 2 – Finishing and distribution (Stages 5–8)
- 5DryingThe leaves are dried with hot air.
- 6GradingThe dry tea is sorted into sizes with sieves.
- 7PackingThe tea is packed into boxes or tea bags.
- 8TransportThe packed tea is taken to shops.
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 Picking | First + N + pick + the top + number + N and a + N + from + N + by hand |
| 2 Withering | Next + N + are + V3 + on + N + for + time + so that + they + lose + some + N |
| 3 Rolling | Then + a + N + rolls + the + adj + N |
| 4 Oxidising* | After that + N + are + V3 + in the air + for + time, and + they + change + from + adj + to + adj |
| 5 Drying | In the second part + N + are + V3 + with + adj + N + at + temperature |
| 6 Grading | Next + the + adj + N + is + V3 + through + N + and is + V3 + by + N |
| 7 Packing | After that + N + is + V3 + into + N or N |
| 8 Transport | Finally + N + is + V3 + to + N + by + N |
| Stage | Band 5.5 formula |
|---|---|
| 1 Picking | To begin with + the top + number + N and a + N + are + V3 + from + N + by hand |
| 2 Withering | Next + N + are + V3 + on + N + for + time, and + during this time + they + lose + some of + N |
| 3 Rolling | After that + the + adj + N + are + V3 + by + N |
| 4 Oxidising* | Next + the + V3-adj + N + are + V3 + to + V + for + time, and + their + N + changes + from + adj + to + adj |
| 5 Drying | In the second stage + the + adj + N + are + V3 + with + adj + N + at + temperature |
| 6 Grading | After that + the + adj + N + is + V3 + into + adj + N + using + N |
| 7 Packing | Then + N + is + V3 + into + N or N |
| 8 Transport | Finally + the + V3-adj + N + is + V3 + to + N + by + N + and is + V3 + there |
| Stage | Band 6.5 formula |
|---|---|
| 1 Picking | The process begins with + N + being + adj-V3 + from + N |
| 2 Withering | After this + N + are + V3 + out on + N + for + time + in order to + reduce + their + N |
| 3 Rolling | Following this + the + V3-adj + N + are + V3 + by machine |
| 4 Oxidising* | S + are then + left to + V + for + time, during which + their + N + changes + from + adj + to + adj |
| 5 Drying | Turning to the second phase + the + V3-adj + N + are + V3 + with + adj + N + at a temperature of + number |
| 6 Grading | Next + the + V3-adj + N + is + V3 + by + N + using a series of + N |
| 7 Packing | Once + V3 + N + is + V3 + into + N or N |
| 8 Transport | In the final stage + the + V3-adj + N + is + V3 + to + N + by + N + for sale |
| Stage | Band 7.5 formula |
|---|---|
| 1 Picking | The process commences with + the + N-ing + of + N + from + N |
| 2 Withering | S + are then + left to + V + on + N + for + time, a stage which + V + their + N |
| 3 Rolling | Once + V3 + N + are + adverb + V3 |
| 4 Oxidising* | They are subsequently + left to + V + for + time, during which + they + turn + from + adj + to + adj |
| 5 Drying | Turning to the second phase + the + V3-adj + N + are + V3 + using + adj + N + at a temperature of approximately + number |
| 6 Grading | S + is then + passed through + N + so that + it + can be + V3 + according to + N |
| 7 Packing | Once + V3 + N + is + V3 + either in + N or in + N |
| 8 Transport | Finally + the + V3-adj + N + is + V3 + to + N + by + N, where + it + is + V3 + to + 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, công nhân hái (pick) hai lá trên cùng và một búp từ cây chè bằng tay.
Tiếp theo, lá được đặt (are put) lên giá trong 12 đến 18 giờ để chúng mất bớt nước.
Sau đó, một cái máy cuộn (rolls) những lá mềm.
Sau đó, lá được để (are left) ngoài không khí từ một đến ba giờ, và chúng đổi từ màu xanh sang màu nâu.
Ở phần thứ hai, lá được sấy khô (are dried) bằng khí nóng ở 120°C.
Tiếp theo, chè khô được cho qua sàng và được phân loại (is sorted) theo kích cỡ.
Sau đó, chè được cho (is put) vào hộp hoặc túi lọc.
Cuối cùng, chè được chở (is taken) đến cửa hàng bằng xe tải.
Band 5.5 – 8 sentences
Trước tiên, hai lá trên cùng và một búp được hái (are picked) từ cây chè bằng tay.
Tiếp theo, lá được trải (are spread) lên giá trong 12 đến 18 giờ, và trong thời gian này chúng mất bớt một phần nước.
Sau đó, những lá mềm được máy cuộn lại (are rolled).
Tiếp theo, lá đã cuộn được để cho oxy hoá (oxidise) trong một đến ba giờ, và màu của chúng đổi từ xanh sang nâu.
Ở giai đoạn thứ hai, lá màu nâu được sấy khô bằng khí nóng (hot air) ở 120°C.
Sau đó, chè khô được phân loại thành các kích cỡ khác nhau bằng cách dùng sàng (sieves).
Sau đó, chè được đóng gói (is packed) vào hộp hoặc túi lọc.
Cuối cùng, chè đã đóng gói được vận chuyển (is transported) đến cửa hàng bằng xe tải và được bán ở đó.
Band 6.5 – 8 sentences
Quy trình bắt đầu với việc hai lá trên cùng và một búp được hái bằng tay (hand-picked) từ các bụi chè.
Sau đó, lá được trải ra trên giá trong 12 đến 18 giờ nhằm giảm độ ẩm (moisture content).
Tiếp sau đó, những lá đã được làm mềm (softened) được cuộn bằng máy.
Lá đã cuộn sau đó được để oxy hoá trong một đến ba giờ, trong thời gian đó (during which) màu lá đổi từ xanh sang nâu.
Chuyển sang giai đoạn thứ hai, lá đã oxy hoá được sấy bằng khí nóng ở nhiệt độ (a temperature of) 120°C.
Tiếp theo, chè đã sấy được phân cấp (graded) theo kích cỡ bằng một loạt các sàng.
Một khi đã phân cấp, chè được đóng vào hộp hoặc túi lọc (tea bags).
Ở giai đoạn cuối, chè đã đóng gói được vận chuyển đến cửa hàng bằng xe tải để bán (for sale).
Band 7.5 – 8 sentences
Quy trình bắt đầu với việc hái bằng tay (the hand-picking) hai lá trên cùng và một búp từ mỗi bụi chè.
Sau đó, lá được để héo (left to wither) trên giá trong 12–18 giờ, giai đoạn này làm giảm độ ẩm của chúng.
Một khi đã héo, lá được cuộn bằng máy (mechanically rolled).
Sau đó, chúng được để oxy hoá trong một đến ba giờ, trong thời gian đó chúng chuyển (turn) từ xanh sang nâu.
Chuyển sang giai đoạn thứ hai, lá đã oxy hoá được sấy bằng khí nóng ở nhiệt độ xấp xỉ (approximately) 120°C.
Chè đã sấy sau đó được cho qua sàng để có thể được phân cấp theo (according to) kích cỡ.
Một khi đã phân cấp, chè được đóng gói hoặc (either) trong hộp hoặc trong túi lọc.
Cuối cùng, sản phẩm đóng gói được phân phối (distributed) đến các cửa hàng bằng xe tải, nơi nó được bán cho người tiêu dùng.
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.
- , workers pick the top two leaves.
- They pick the leaves hand.
- , the leaves are put on racks.
- The leaves are put on racks that they lose some water.
- The leaves change green to brown.
- the second part, the leaves are dried.
- The tea is put boxes or tea bags.
- , the tea is taken to shops.
Part B – Translate with Band 4.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Đầu tiên (First), công nhân hái lá chè bằng tay.
Tiếp theo (Next), lá được đặt lên giá.
Sau đó (Then), một cái máy cuộn lá.
Sau đó (After that), lá được sấy khô bằng khí nóng.
Cuối cùng (Finally), chè được chở đến cửa hàng.
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 top two leaves are picked.
- The leaves are spread racks.
- The soft leaves are rolled a machine.
- The leaves are left oxidise.
- the second stage, the leaves are dried.
- The tea is sorted into different sizes sieves.
- The tea is packed boxes or tea bags.
- The tea is transported to shops is sold there.
Part B – Translate with Band 5.5 linkers (5 sentences)
Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.
Trước tiên (To begin with), lá chè được hái bằng tay.
Những lá mềm được máy (by a machine) cuộn lại.
Màu lá đổi (changes) từ xanh sang nâu.
Ở giai đoạn thứ hai (In the second stage), lá được sấy khô.
Chè được phân loại bằng cách dùng (using) sàng.
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 leaves being hand-picked.
- The leaves are spread out on racks order to reduce their moisture.
- this, the softened leaves are rolled by machine.
- Their colour changes, which they are left to oxidise.
- the second phase, the leaves are dried.
- The tea is graded by size using a series sieves.
- graded, the tea is packed.
- The packed tea is transported to shops sale.
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) lá được hái bằng tay.
Lá được trải trên giá nhằm (in order to) giảm độ ẩm.
Lá được để oxy hoá, trong thời gian đó (during which) màu lá thay đổi.
Chuyển sang (Turning to) giai đoạn thứ hai, lá được sấy khô.
Một khi đã (Once) phân cấp, chè được đóng gói.
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 the hand-picking of the top two leaves.
- The leaves are left to on racks for 12–18 hours.
- withered, the leaves are mechanically rolled.
- They are left to oxidise for one to three hours.
- The leaves are dried with hot air, is heated to 120°C.
- The tea is passed through sieves that it can be graded.
- The tea is packaged in boxes or in tea bags.
- The product is distributed to shops, it is sold to consumers.
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 hái bằng tay (the hand-picking of) lá chè.
Lá được để héo trên giá, giai đoạn này (a stage which) làm giảm độ ẩm.
Một khi đã héo (Once withered), lá được cuộn bằng máy.
Lá được sấy bằng khí nóng, loại khí (which) được làm nóng đến 120°C.
Sản phẩm được phân phối đến cửa hàng, nơi (where) nó được bán.
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 black tea | how black tea | the process of making black tea | the various stages in the production of black tea | the sequence of stages involved in manufacturing black tea |
| is produced | is made | from fresh leaves | from the picking of fresh leaves | from the harvesting of fresh leaves |
| to packed tea in shops | to its delivery to shops | to its eventual distribution to retailers |
The diagram shows how black tea is made, from fresh leaves to tea in shops.
Band 4.5: changes “produced” to “made” and adds a simple “from … to …”.
The diagram illustrates the process of making black tea, from fresh leaves to packed tea in shops.
Band 5.5: a common reporting verb (illustrates) and a noun phrase (the process of making) instead of copying “how black tea is produced”.
The diagram illustrates the various stages in the production of black tea, from the picking of fresh leaves to its delivery to shops.
Band 6.5: nominalisation (the production of, the picking of, its delivery) gives an accurate, academic paraphrase.
The given diagram depicts the sequence of stages involved in manufacturing black tea, from the harvesting of fresh leaves to its eventual distribution to retailers.
Band 7.5: precise verb (depicts), a complex noun phrase (the sequence of stages involved in manufacturing) and accurate collocations (harvesting of fresh leaves, distribution to retailers).
The diagram shows / illustrates / depicts how black tea is made / the production of black tea, from the picking of fresh leaves to its delivery to shops.
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 “12–18 hours”, “1–3 hours” or “120°C”).
Band 4.5 formula
Overall, there are eight steps in this process. It starts with picking green leaves and finishes with sending the tea to shops.
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. The first four stages prepare the fresh leaves, and the last four stages finish the tea and send it to shops. The colour of the leaves changes from green to brown during the 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, the process consists of eight stages, which can be divided into two main phases: preparing the leaves and finishing and distributing the tea. A key change is that the leaves turn from green to brown before they are dried and packed.
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, black tea production involves eight distinct stages, which fall into two main phases – the preparation of the leaves and the finishing and distribution of the product – with the most notable change being the transformation of the leaves from green to brown through oxidation.
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 (Preparing the leaves) → Body 2: Stages 5–8 (Finishing and distribution). Your writing is saved on this device.
Exercise 1 – Match the paraphrase
Choose the best synonym for each word from the task.
- shows →
- produced →
- picked →
- sorted →
- shops →
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, workers the top two leaves and a bud from the tea plants by hand. Next, the leaves are put on for 12 to 18 hours so that they lose some water. Then, a machine the soft leaves. After that, the leaves are left in the air for one to three hours, and they change from green to .
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 top two leaves and a bud from the tea plants by hand. Next, the leaves are on racks for 12 to 18 hours, and during this time they lose some of their water. After that, the soft leaves are rolled a machine. Next, the rolled leaves are left to for one to three hours, and their colour changes from green to brown.
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 the top two leaves and a bud being from the tea bushes. After this, the leaves are spread out on racks for 12 to 18 hours in order to reduce their content. Following this, the softened leaves are rolled by . The rolled leaves are then left to oxidise for one to three hours, which their colour changes from green to brown.
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 the top two leaves and a bud from each tea bush. The leaves are then left to on racks for 12–18 hours, a stage which reduces their moisture content. Once withered, the leaves are rolled. They are subsequently left to for one to three hours, during which they turn from green to brown.
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.