Effective Tips on How to Interpret a Diagram in the IELTS Writing

Have you ever been asked to interpret a diagram? Have you found it to be easy or really challenging?
Interpreting diagrams is known to be one of the types of questions in the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System writing test. This is the first task of the said writing test in the Academic module of the test. The Academic module is already famous for its challenging questions and this diagram interpretation is one of the many difficult tasks for the candidates to take.


A diagram type of question can be a picture showing charts or processes. Candidates need to closely study the diagram and outline points that he or she has to include in the writing. Let’s have an example:


You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagram below shows the process of using water to produce electricity.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words

How to write a response based on this diagram?

1. Make sure that you have a clearly stated introduction. In general, describe what is being shown in the diagram. 
2. List down all the necessary vocabulary you need to use in describing the picture. Choose the right vocabulary to clearly show what is in the picture. 
3. Since the example show how electricity is possible through hydropower, show what happens in every stage in the diagram. 
4. Processes should be written in an organized way. Clearly show that B happens because of A and so on. 
5. Use transition words to show what is happening.
6. Use verb tenses that will describe the process. In this case, the present tenses are useful. 
7. Make use of the passive form of the verb. The passive form of the verb is used when the subject of your sentences is the receiver of the action. As you can see on the picture, the focus on the activities. 
8. Be sure to describe the equipment of objects involved in the process. 
9. Create separate paragraphs to describe each stage of the process.
10. Check on your spelling and use of punctuations. 

Sample response:

The diagram shows the production of electricity using water. This process is also known as generation of hydroelectric power. 

Both the sun and the wind play a crucial part in this process. The heat of the sun warms up sea water. As it evaporates, it forms clouds in the atmosphere. With the help of the wind, the clouds are blown towards reservoirs. As the clouds get heavier and bigger, rain happens. This rain water is collected in dams or reservoirs. 

When the dam is filled with water, a valve is open to let water move towards a turbine in an underground man-made tunnel. As water flows in the turbine, it generates electricity. The water that has been generating water in the turbine returns back to dam through an underground pump. This electricity flows in high voltage cable to transformer stations. From these stations, the electricity stored is distributed to houses, schools, or any facilities connected through the wires. 

The process diagram is easy once you come up with an outline showing the step-by-step flow of the diagram. Hence, the best thing to do is to write an outline for your essay before doing the writing. 

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