The diagram below shows how cocoa beans are prepared for export to countries that make chocolate. Summarise the information by selecting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

(Sample IELTS Essays)

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Discuss this diagram with a partner. What is happening? What could you write in an essay?

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The diagram below shows how cocoa beans are prepared for export to countries that make chocolate. Summarise the information by selecting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. You should write at least 150 words.

Cut up strips and post them around the room. Put students in pairs. One pair can go around the room and look at the strips, and then report back to their partner. The partner writes the phrases in the appropriate blanks. The student who looks at the words cannot write them, and the student who does the writing cannot leave their seat to look at the words.

First of all

After some time

Then

During this time

Then

After that

Finally

The pictures show the process of preparing cocoa beans for export to countries that produce chocolate.

(1)_________________, ripe coca pods are picked. (2) _________________, they ferment. (3) _________________, the fermented pods are cut in half and the beans are taken out. These are purple in colour. The purple beans are placed on banana leaves to dry under the sun for six days. (4) _________________, they become brown in colour. These brown beans are (5) _________________ spread out on raised mats to dry for another 10 to 20 days. (6) _________________, the dried cocoa beans are packed in large sacks and transported to local agents. These agents check the quality of the produce and also weigh it. Then, the agents pay the farmers according to quality and weight. (7) _________________, the beans are taken to port in trucks and exported to countries where chocolate is made.

In conclusion, it is clear that there are several steps involved in preparing coca beans for export and these steps take a considerable amount of time.

Writing Task 1:

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The diagram below shows how cocoa beans are prepared for export to countries that make chocolate. Summarise the information by selecting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. You should write at least 150 words.

Paragraph 1: The pictures show… Paragraph 2: Step-by-step account Sequence expressions: First of all, After some time, Then, After that, During this time, Finally, Etc……. Final Paragraph: In conclusion,

The pictures show the process of preparing cocoa beans for export to countries that produce chocolate. First of all, ripe coca pods are picked. After some time, they ferment. Then, the fermented pods are cut in half and the beans are taken out. These are purple in colour. The purple beans are placed on banana leaves to dry under the sun for six days. During this time, they become brown in colour. These brown beans are then spread out on raised mats to dry for another 10 to 20 days. After that, the dried cocoa beans are packed in large sacks and transported to local agents. These agents check the quality of the produce and also weigh it. Then, the agents pay the farmers according to quality and weight. Finally, the beans are taken to port in trucks and exported to countries where chocolate is made. In conclusion, it is clear that there are several steps involved in preparing coca beans for export and these steps take a considerable amount of time.

Word count: 172

Important Grammar:

Present Simple Active:

Example: These agents check the quality of the produce.

What other active verbs can you find in the text?

Present Simple Passive:

Example: First of all, ripe coca pods are picked.

What other passive verbs can you find in the text?
Answers

Important Grammar:

Present Simple Active:

These agents check the quality of the produce.

The pictures show

they ferment

they become brown

the agents pay the farmers...

These agents check the quality of the produce and also weigh it

these steps take a considerable amount of time

Present Simple Passive:

First of all, ripe coca pods are picked.

the fermented pods are cut

the beans are taken out

The purple beans are placed

These brown beans are then spread

the dried cocoa beans are packed...and transported

the beans are taken...and exported

chocolate is made

Also a reduced passive phrase:

several steps involved (meaning several steps that are involved)