The production of olive oil
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Diagram

IELTS Writing Task 1 Question
The diagram below shows the production of olive oil. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below.

Common Questions for the Diagram
1. Table Type: Process Diagram
2. Title: Stages in Olive Oil Production
3. What are the units of measurement? Not applicable (descriptive stages)
4. Who: Agricultural producers, food industry professionals
5. When: Present day
6. Where: Olive production facilities
7. Topic: Olive oil manufacturing process
Detailed Process and Stages
Process Description :
- The diagram outlines the seven-step process involved in producing olive oil, from picking the olives to the final sale.
-
- Harvesting: The process begins with the manual picking of fresh olives from olive trees.
- Washing: The olives are washed thoroughly in cold water and rinsed multiple times until they are clean.
- Crushing: The washed olives are placed on a conveyor belt, leading to a crushing device where they are smashed and separated into olive stones and olive paste.
- Bagging: The olive paste is then placed in a perforated bag, allowing for maximum airflow during the pressing stage.
- Pressing: The bagged paste is placed in a pressing machine, where it is squeezed to extract the maximum amount of liquid.
- Separating: The extracted liquid is transferred to a separation device, where the oil is separated from the water. Each comes out through separate outlets.
- Packaging: The pure olive oil is bottled for storage and sale and ready for distribution to the market.
Sample Answer
The process diagram illustrates the steps involved in producing olive oil, covering seven main stages from harvesting to packaging for sale.
Overall, olive oil production is a meticulous process that involves multiple steps and specialized equipment to ensure a high-quality final product.
First, olives are harvested from the trees. They are then washed in cold water to remove any impurities and rinsed several times. After washing, the olives are moved on a conveyor belt to a crushing machine, where they are separated into olive stones and paste.
In the fourth step, the paste is placed in perforated bags and then pressed to extract as much liquid as possible. The liquid is then passed through a separation device, where the oil is separated from the water, each exiting through different outlets.
Finally, the pure olive oil is bottled and ready for storage and sale in the market.
Top 27 Vocabularies
Vocabulary | Meaning | Synonyms | Examples | Type |
Harvesting | Collecting crops or fruits from plants | Gathering, picking | Olives are harvested at the beginning of the process. | Verb |
Crushing | Breaking something into smaller pieces | Smashing, grinding | The olives are crushed to separate stones and paste. | Verb |
Separating | Dividing one part from another | Dividing, filtering | The liquid is separated into oil and water. | Verb |
Perforated | Having small holes | Holed, porous | The olive paste is put in perforated bags before pressing. | Adjective |
Extract | To remove or take out | Draw out, withdraw | The pressing step extracts the liquid from the paste. | Verb |
Process |
A series of actions or steps taken to achieve a result |
Procedure, method |
“The process involves several stages to produce olive oil.” |
Noun |
Diagram |
A simplified drawing or representation of a process |
Chart, illustration |
“The diagram shows the steps involved in olive oil production.” |
Noun |
Stage |
A distinct phase in a process or development |
Phase, step |
“Each stage of olive oil production is crucial for the final product.” |
Noun |
Meticulous |
Showing great attention to detail |
Careful, thorough |
“The process is meticulous to ensure high-quality olive oil.” |
Adjective |
Specialized |
Designed for a specific purpose |
Expert, specific |
“Specialized equipment is used at various stages of production.” |
Adjective |
Equipment |
Tools or machinery used for a specific task |
Tools, machinery |
“Specialized equipment is required to press the olives.” |
Noun |
Wash |
To clean with water |
Cleanse, rinse |
“Olives are washed in cold water to remove impurities.” |
Verb |
Impurities |
Unwanted substances that contaminate a substance |
Contaminants, pollutants |
“The olives are washed to remove any impurities.” |
Noun |
Conveyor belt |
A continuous moving band used for transporting items |
Transport belt, moving belt |
“Olives are moved on a conveyor belt to the crushing machine.” |
Noun |
Crushing machine |
A device used to break down solid materials |
Grinder, mill |
“The crushing machine breaks olives into paste and stones.” |
Noun |
Stone |
A hard, solid nonmetallic substance |
Rock, pebble |
“Olives are separated into stones and paste during crushing.” |
Noun |
Paste |
A thick, soft substance made by grinding |
Dough, slurry |
“The olives are crushed into a thick paste.” |
Noun |
Perforated |
Containing small holes or openings |
Punctured, holed |
“The paste is placed in perforated bags for pressing.” |
Adjective |
Bag |
A flexible container used for storing or carrying |
Sack, pouch |
“The olive paste is placed in bags for pressing.” |
Noun |
Pressing |
Applying pressure to extract liquids or materials |
Squeezing, compressing |
“The pressing step extracts the liquid from the olive paste.” |
Noun/Verb |
Extract |
To remove a substance from a source |
Remove, draw out |
“Pressing is done to extract as much liquid as possible from the paste.” |
Verb |
Liquid |
A substance that flows and takes the shape of its container |
Fluid, juice |
“The liquid is separated into oil and water.” |
Noun |
Separation |
The act of dividing into distinct parts |
Division, segregation |
“The oil is separated from the water using a separation device.” |
Noun |
Device |
A tool or machine used for a specific purpose |
Apparatus, instrument |
“A separation device is used to divide oil and water.” |
Noun |
Bottle |
A container typically used for liquids |
Jar, container |
“The olive oil is bottled for storage and sale.” |
Noun |
Storage |
The action or process of storing something |
Keeping, preservation |
“After bottling, the olive oil is stored for sale.” |
Noun |
Market |
A place or system where goods are bought and sold |
Marketplace, trade |
“The olive oil is ready for sale in the market.” |
Noun |

Our Books
Master IELTS Speaking Part 1
IELTS Writing Task 1 Book
IELTS Writing Task 2 Book
Writing Task 1 Question Types
Practice IELTS Other Modules
IELTS Listening
The IELTS Listening test assesses how well you can understand spoken English in various contexts. It lasts about 30 minutes and is divided into four sections with a total of 40 questions. The listening tasks become increasingly difficult as the test progresses.
IELTS Academic Reading
The IELTS Academic Reading section assesses your ability to understand and interpret a variety of texts in academic settings. It is designed to evaluate a range of reading skills, including skimming for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, understanding inferences, and recognizing a writer's opinions and arguments.
IELTS Speaking
The IELTS Speaking test assesses your ability to communicate in English on everyday topics. It lasts 11-14 minutes and consists of three parts: introduction, cue card, and a discussion based on the cue card topic.
IELTS General Reading
IELTS General Reading tests your ability to understand and interpret various types of texts. Here are some key areas and types of content you can expect to encounter in the reading section, along with tips for effective preparation.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you are presented with a visual representation of information, such as graphs, charts, tables, or diagrams, and you are required to summarize, compare, or explain the data in your own words.
IELTS General Writing Task 1
In IELTS General Writing Task 1, you are required to write a letter based on a given situation. The letter can be formal, semi-formal, or informal, depending on the prompt. Here’s a breakdown of the key components to include in your letter
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 2, you are required to write an essay in response to a question or topic. Here’s a guide to help you understand the essential elements of this task
IELTS Exam Tips
To succeed in the IELTS exam, practice regularly, familiarize yourself with the test format, improve your vocabulary, develop time management skills, and take mock tests to build confidence.
Grammer for IELTS
Grammar is the foundation of effective communication in English. Understanding tense usage, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure enhances clarity and coherence in writing and speaking.
Vocabulary for IELTS
Vocabulary plays a crucial role in the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam, especially in the Speaking and Writing sections. Here’s an overview of why vocabulary is important and how it impacts your performance
RECENT IELTS SAMPLES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Comparison of Males Preferring Watching vs. Participating in Sports
20:00 Start Pause Stop [df_adh_heading title_infix="IELTS Writing Task 1 Question" use_divider="on"...
Task 1 – Line-Bar – The total volume of telephone calls (in million minutes) in Denmark, divided into three categories, from 1995- 2004
20:00 Start Pause Stop [df_adh_heading title_infix="IELTS Writing Task 1 Question" use_divider="on"...
Task 1 – Table – Information about the average annual spending of university students in three different countries
20:00 Start Pause Stop [df_adh_heading title_infix="IELTS Writing Task 1 Question" use_divider="on"...
Task 1 – Table -The production of carbon dioxide in five different countries in 2006
20:00 Start Pause Stop [df_adh_heading title_infix="IELTS Writing Task 1 Question" use_divider="on"...
Task 1 – Table – Results of research, which examined the average percentage marks scored by boys and girls of different ages in several school subjects
20:00 Start Pause Stop [df_adh_heading title_infix="IELTS Writing Task 1 Question" use_divider="on"...
Task 1 – Diagram – The structure of a home smokery and how it works
20:00 Start Pause Stop [df_adh_heading title_infix="IELTS Writing Task 1 Question" use_divider="on"...