This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay about a process/diagram on the topic of how to pu’erh tea is made.

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IELTS Task 1 Process: Tea

The diagram featured above details the steps by which pu’erh raw and ripened tea are produced. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are 3 main stages beginning with initial deactivation and drying, followed by either aging or fermentation and finally storage in the case of the raw tea and compression for the ripe tea.

The process for both varieties of tea commences when the leaves are fried in pans in order to deactivate specific enzymes. This is followed by rolling of the fried leaves and drying in the sun. In the next stage, the two kinds of tea are treated in different ways.

For the ripe tea, the loose raw tea is fermented with mold and then compressed to form the final product. In terms of the raw tea, the leaves are first compressed. Subsequent to this step, the tea is aged, rather than fermented, and the pu’erh raw tea is then available for use.

Analysis

1. The diagram featured above details the steps by which pu’erh raw and ripened tea are produced. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are 3 main stages beginning with initial deactivation and drying, followed by either aging or fermentation and finally storage in the case of the raw tea and compression for the ripe tea.

Paraphrase what the process shows.
Write a clear overview summarising the major groups. Read here about overviews for processes.

1. The process for both varieties of tea commences when the leaves are fried in pans in order to deactivate specific enzymes. 2. This is followed by rolling of the fried leaves and drying in the sun. 3. In the next stage, the two kinds of tea are treated in different ways.

Begin writing about the details of the process.
This one is tricky to get up to the word count (no longer required on IELTS) so try to make it a little wordy.
Include every step in the process.

1. For the ripe tea, the loose raw tea is fermented with mold and then compressed to form the final product. 2. In terms of the raw tea, the leaves are first compressed. 3. Subsequent to this step, the tea is aged, rather than fermented, and the pu’erh raw tea is then available for use.

Write about the rest of the process – include everything!
You might have to make it wordy at times…
Try to paraphrase some of the words from process as well.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

The diagram featured above details the steps by which pu’erh raw and ripened tea are produced. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are 3 main stages beginning with initial deactivation and drying, followed by either aging or fermentation and finally storage in the case of the raw tea and compression for the ripe tea.

The process for both varieties of tea commences when the leaves are fried in pans in order to deactivate specific enzymes. This is followed by rolling of the fried leaves and drying in the sun. In the next stage, the two kinds of tea are treated in different ways.

For the ripe tea, the loose raw tea is fermented with mold and then compressed to form the final product. In terms of the raw tea, the leaves are first compressed. Subsequent to this step, the tea is aged, rather than fermented, and the pu’erh raw tea is then available for use.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

diagram featured above process detailed

details the steps by which pu’erh raw and ripened tea shows how this kind of fermented drink is made

produced created

Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall

beginning with initial deactivation starting by making it less active

drying not wet anymore

followed by either aging or fermentation after that either letting it get older or letting it get moldy

storage in the case of keeping so that

compression forcing it together

varieties types of

commences begins

fried in pans in order to deactivate specific enzymes cooked to start the process

This is followed by rolling of next is folding it

In the next stage after that

kinds types

are treated in different ways processed differently

loose not combined

fermented with mold made older

form the final product make the tea

In terms of when it comes to

Subsequent to this step after this

aged getting older

rather than instead of

then available for use can next be utilized for

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ˈdaɪəgræm ˈfiːʧəd əˈbʌv
ˈdiːteɪlz ðə stɛps baɪ wɪʧ pu:’er rɔː ænd ˈraɪpənd tiː
prəˈdjuːst
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt
bɪˈgɪnɪŋ wɪð ɪˈnɪʃəl ˌæktɪˈveɪʃ(ə)n
ˈdraɪɪŋ
ˈfɒləʊd baɪ ˈaɪðər ˈeɪʤɪŋ ɔː ˌfɜːmɛnˈteɪʃən
ˈstɔːrɪʤ ɪn ðə keɪs ɒv
kəmˈprɛʃən
vəˈraɪətiz
kəˈmɛnsɪz
fraɪd ɪn pænz ɪn ˈɔːdə tuː ˈæktɪveɪt spɪˈsɪfɪk ˈɛnzaɪmz
ðɪs ɪz ˈfɒləʊd baɪ ˈrəʊlɪŋ ɒv
ɪn ðə nɛkst steɪʤ
kaɪndz
ɑː ˈtriːtɪd ɪn ˈdɪfrənt weɪz
luːs
fə(ː)ˈmɛntɪd wɪð məʊld
fɔːm ðə ˈfaɪnl ˈprɒdʌkt
ɪn tɜːmz ɒv
ˈsʌbsɪkwənt tuː ðɪs stɛp
eɪʤd
ˈrɑːðə ðæn
ðɛn əˈveɪləbl fɔː juːz

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

The d__________________________________________________________________________a are p_______d. L________________________________________________t there are 3 main stages b____________________n and d_______g, f_________________________________________n and finally s_____________________________f the raw tea and c_______________n for the ripe tea.

The process for both v_____________s of tea c_____________s when the leaves are f__________________________________s. T________________________f the fried leaves and drying in the sun. I_________________e, the two k________s of tea a__________________________________s.

For the ripe tea, the l______e raw tea is f____________________________________d and then compressed to f______________________t. I_________________f the raw tea, the leaves are first compressed. S__________________________p, the tea is a____d, r_______________n fermented, and the pu’erh raw tea is t____________________e.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/pu-erh-tea-benefits

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Tea

Do you prefer to drink coffee or tea?
How do you like to drink tea?
Is tea a popular drink in your country?
When was the last time you had some tea?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS chart below:

IELTS Essay: Smoked Fish Process