IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer Essay: Ceramic Pots Process (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)

This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay from the academic exam on the process of making ceramic pots.

There are called process or diagram questions and you might get one instead of a graph or chart.

Be sure to check out my online courses here and my writing corrections here.

Dave

Before reading, listen to the sample answer and try to draw the process from my answer:

IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer Essay: Ceramic Pots Process

The diagram below shows one method of manufacturing ceramic pots.

The diagram outlines one particular way of creating ceramic pots. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that this chemical process can be grouped into three main stages: collecting the raw materials, forming those materials into pots, and finishing the process by heating and colouring them.

The first stage of the process is to dig up and transport the raw materials to factories where they are then crushed and mixed with water to make them into a clay-like substance that can be molded into the shape of a pot. From there, they must dry for 4-6 hours in moulds in order to fix them into their final shape.

They are then placed in an oven and heated to over 1000 degrees celsius. Following this, the pots are colored and a ‘firing’ stage in the oven sets the paint pigments in place, finalising the process.

Analysis

1. The diagram outlines one particular way of creating ceramic pots. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that this chemical process can be grouped into three main stages: collecting the raw materials, forming those materials into pots, and finishing the process by heating and colouring them.

1. Paraphrase what the diagram shows.
2. Write a general overview dividing it into 2 or 3 main stages.

1. The first stage of the process is to dig up and transport the raw materials to factories where they are then crushed and mixed with water to make them into a clay-like substance that can be molded into the shape of a pot. 2. From there, they must dry for 4-6 hours in moulds in order to fix them into their final shape.

1. Try to describe a lot of steps in one sentence to show off your grammar.
2. Mix up long and shorter sentences.

1. They are then placed in an oven and heated to over 1000 degrees celsius. 2. Following this, the pots are colored and a ‘firing’ stage in the oven sets the paint pigments in place, finalising the process.

1. Continue with the next part of the process. You can make a new paragraph when you get on to a new section of the process.
2. Finish describing all the steps.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

The diagram outlines one particular way of creating ceramic pots. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that this chemical process can be grouped into three main stages: collecting the raw materials, forming those materials into pots, and finishing the process by heating and colouring them.

The first stage of the process is to dig up and transport the raw materials to factories where they are then crushed and mixed with water to make them into a clay-like substance that can be molded into the shape of a pot. From there, they must dry for 4-6 hours in moulds in order to fix them into their final shape.

They are then placed in an oven and heated to over 1000 degrees celsius. Following this, the pots are colored and a ‘firing’ stage in the oven sets the paint pigments in place, finalising the process.

Answers

outlines describes

particular way one method

ceramic pots pots/buckets made from a clay-type substance

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

chemical process involves the transformation of materials

grouped into combined

raw materials original source

finishing ending

dig up mine

transport send to

crushed ground up

mixed combined

clay-like substance similar to clay/mud

molded shaped

dry not wet

moulds holders to shape something

fix set in place

placed put in

celsius measurement of temperature

following this after this

‘firing’ stage setting in place the colour

sets the paint pigments in place making the colour stay

finalising finishing

Pronunciation

Listen and repeat:

ˈaʊtlaɪnz 
pəˈtɪkjʊlə weɪ 
sɪˈræmɪk pɒts
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt 
ˈkɛmɪkəl ˈprəʊsɛs 
gruːpt ˈɪntuː 
rɔː məˈtɪərɪəlz
ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ 
dɪg ʌp 
ˈtrænspɔːt 
krʌʃt 
mɪkst 
kleɪ-laɪk ˈsʌbstəns 
ˈməʊldɪd 
draɪ 
məʊldz 
fɪks 
pleɪst 
ˈsɛlsiəs
ˈfɒləʊɪŋ ðɪs
ˈfaɪərɪŋ steɪʤ 
sɛts ðə peɪnt ˈpɪgmənts ɪn pleɪs
ˈfaɪnəlaɪzɪŋ 

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

The diagram o_________s one p_____________y of creating c______________s. L__________________________________________________________t this c_________________s can be g______________o three main stages: collecting the r________________s, forming those materials into pots, and f_____________g the process by heating and colouring them.

The first stage of the process is to d_______p and t_____________t the raw materials to factories where they are then c________d and m_________d with water to make them into a c____________________e that can be m___________d into the shape of a pot. From there, they must d___y for 4-6 hours in m_________s in order to f___x them into their final shape.

They are then p_________d in an oven and heated to over 1000 degrees c_________s. F_______________s, the pots are colored and a ‘f______________e in the oven s__________________________________e, f___________g the process.

Listen and check:

Listening Practice

Watch below about making a ceramic pot:

Speaking Practice

Practice with the related topic from IELTS speaking part 2 below:

Talk about a product made in your hometown. Include

what it is

how it is made

why it is special

Real Past IELTS Speaking Exam

Writing Practice

Write about the following process then check with my sample answer: