In the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, candidates often encounter diagrams or flowcharts representing processes. Describing the main stages or steps of the process accurately is crucial for achieving a high score.

One important aspect of describing these stages effectively is using appropriate verb tenses.

This article will explore using verb tenses correctly to describe each stage, along with examples and sample answers.

1. Present Simple Tense:

The present simple tense is commonly used to describe actions or processes that are permanent or habitual. It is suitable for stages that are general statements of fact or describe routine actions.

Here’s an example:

The Water Purification Process Stage 1:

Raw water enters the treatment facility through an intake pipe.

In this stage, the use of the present simple tense “enters” indicates a habitual action that occurs regularly during the water purification process.

2. Present Continuous Tense:

The present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening at the time of speaking or actions in progress. It is appropriate for stages that depict ongoing actions.

Example: The Production of Paper Stage 1:

Wood chips are being soaked in water to soften them.

The use of the present continuous tense “are being soaked” suggests an ongoing action during the paper production process.

3. Past Simple Tense:

The past simple tense is used to describe completed actions or events that happened in the past. It is suitable for stages that indicate actions that have already occurred.

Example: The Manufacturing of Chocolate Stage 1:

Cocoa beans were harvested from the trees and collected in baskets.

The past simple tense “were harvested” and “collected” indicates that these actions took place in the past and are now completed.

4. Present Perfect Tense:

The present perfect tense describes actions or events that started in the past but have a connection to the present. It is appropriate for stages that emphasize the result or impact of past actions.

Example: The Construction of a Building Stage 1:

The foundation has been laid and is now ready for further construction.

The present perfect tense “has been laid” suggests that the action of laying the foundation happened in the past, but its result (the foundation being ready) has relevance to the present stage.

Sample Answer:

The provided diagram illustrates the process of coffee production.

The process involves four main stages, each described using the appropriate verb tense.

In the first stage, coffee cherries are picked from the trees by hand. This stage is represented using the present simple tense, indicating a routine action.

The second stage involves sorting the cherries based on their quality and ripeness. After sorting, the cherries are washed thoroughly to remove any impurities. These actions are described using the past simple tense, indicating completed actions.

Moving on to the third stage, the washed cherries are placed on drying beds or in drying machines to remove moisture. The present continuous tense is used to indicate an ongoing action.

Finally, the dried cherries are roasted in the fourth and last stages to enhance flavour and aroma. Roasting is a past simple tense verb, indicating a completed action.

The coffee production process includes stages described using different verb tenses, depending on the nature and timing of the actions involved. Adhering to the appropriate verb tense helps convey a clear and accurate description of each stage.

In conclusion, when describing the stages of a process in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, it is crucial to use the correct verb tenses. The choice of verb tense should align with the timing and nature of the actions or events in each stage.

Practice using a variety of verb tenses to effectively describe processes and enhance your overall performance in the task.