The Working of a Hot Air Balloon

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 -Diagram (Illustration)

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IELTS Writing Task 1 Question

The two diagrams describe the main parts of a hot air balloon and indicate how it works. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information given below.

Common Questions for Data Summary

1. Graph Type: Diagram (Illustration)

2. Title: The Working of a Hot Air Balloon

3. What are the units of measurement? No specific units of measurement (illustration of mechanical processes)

4. Who: Passengers in the hot air balloon (controlling the ascent and descent)

5. When: Not specified (general working mechanism of a hot air balloon)

6. Where: Not specified (the hot air balloon is generally used worldwide)

7. Topic: Description of the parts and working of a hot air balloon

Comparison Showing and Trends Any change over time (such as an increase or a decrease) is a trend.

Comparison 1: Ascending Balloon

Details:

The first diagram shows the balloon ascending. The gas cylinder tank at the bottom fuels the burners, which heat the air inside the balloon envelope, causing it to inflate. The passengers control the valve at the top by pulling the cord to regulate the balloon’s ascent.

Comparison 2: Descending Balloon

Details:

In the second diagram, the balloon is descending. To lower the balloon, the burners are turned off, and the valve cord is pulled by the passengers to open the valve at the top, releasing hot air. This causes the balloon to deflate and descend.

Sample Answer

The given diagrams illustrate the operation of a hot air balloon and the mechanisms that allow it to ascend and descend.

Overall, the hot air balloon’s design allows the passengers to control its ascent and descent by regulating the burners and the valve.

In the first diagram, the hot air balloon is seen ascending. The gas cylinder at the base provides fuel to the burners, which heat the air inside the balloon’s envelope. As the heated air rises, it inflates the envelope, causing the balloon to lift. The passengers control the ascent by pulling the cord attached to the valve at the top of the envelope, which remains closed during the ascent.

The second diagram depicts the descending balloon. The burners are switched off to lower the balloon, and the passengers pull the valve cord to open the valve at the top. This releases the hot air from the envelope, causing it to deflate and the balloon to descend gradually.

Top 25 Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meaning	Synonyms	Examples	Type
Ascend	To rise or go up	Rise, climb	The hot air balloon ascends when the burners are on.	Verb
Descend	To move downward	Fall, drop	To make the balloon descend, the burners must be turned off.	Verb
Envelope	The large fabric bag of a hot air balloon	Balloon skin, covering	The balloon envelope inflates as the air inside is heated.	Noun
Valve	A device for controlling the flow of air or gas	Regulator, control	The valve is controlled by the passengers to regulate the balloon’s height.	Noun
Deflate	To let out air or gas, causing something to shrink	Shrink, collapse	Pulling the valve cord deflates the balloon and causes it to descend.	Verb
Mechanism	A system of parts working together to perform a function	System, device	“The mechanism of the balloon allows passengers to control ascent and descent.”	Noun
Control	To manage or direct the operation of something	Regulate, direct	“Passengers control the balloon’s ascent by managing the burners.”	Verb
Fuel	A substance that provides energy for a machine	Energy source, propellant	“The gas cylinder supplies fuel to the burners.”	Noun
Inflate	To fill something with air or gas, making it expand	Inflate, expand	“The balloon inflates as the air inside becomes hot.”	Verb
Lift	To raise or elevate something	Raise, elevate	“The heated air inside the balloon lifts it off the ground.”	Verb
Regulation	The act of controlling or adjusting something	Control, adjustment	“Regulation of the burner ensures the balloon rises smoothly.”	Noun
Cylinder	A cylindrical container used to hold a substance	Tank, container	“The gas cylinder at the base provides fuel for the burners.”	Noun
Cord	A flexible string or rope used for control	Rope, string	“Passengers pull the cord to open the valve.”	Noun
Deflation	The process of releasing air or gas to shrink something	Shrinking, collapsing	“Deflation occurs when the valve is opened and hot air escapes.”	Noun
Temperature	The degree of heat present in a substance	Heat, warmth	“The heated air causes the balloon to rise.”	Noun
Descent	The act of moving downward	Drop, fall	“The balloon’s descent is controlled by opening the valve.”	Noun
Envelope	The fabric part of the balloon that holds the hot air	Balloon skin, covering	“The envelope inflates as the balloon ascends.”	Noun
Ascent	The action of rising or going up	Rise, climb	“The ascent is controlled by adjusting the burners and valve.”	Noun
Adjust	To make changes to achieve a desired result	Modify, change	“The passengers adjust the burners to control the balloon’s height.”	Verb
Buoyancy	The ability of an object to float in a fluid	Floating, lift	“The balloon’s buoyancy is affected by the temperature of the air inside.”	Noun
Pressure	The force exerted on a surface or object	Force, tension	“The pressure inside the balloon increases as the air heats up.”	Noun
Gradually	In small steps or increments	Slowly, progressively	“The balloon descends gradually as air is released from the envelope.”	Adverb
Vent	An opening that allows air or gas to escape	Opening, outlet	“The vent at the top of the balloon allows hot air to escape.”	Noun
Release	To let something go or escape	Free, discharge	“Releasing the air from the balloon causes it to descend.”	Verb
Envelope	A protective covering or container, especially for hot air in a balloon	Cover, casing	“The balloon’s envelope is made of heat-resistant material.”	Noun
Shortlisted	Selected from a larger group for further consideration	Selected, chosen	“The shortlisted candidates will proceed to the next stage.”	Verb/Adjective

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