#IELTS processes: a common mistake (and how to fix it) 🧋

Here is a simplified text for the task above. Can you spot the mistake?

"The water first goes into a filter and then into a large tank with water softener and chemicals. After this, it is directed into a pump, from where it is forced into electric heaters. In the next stage, the water is sent into a special carbonation container."

The mistake I often see in IELTS process descriptions is that substances simply travel from place to place (or from tank to tank)—and nothing happens to the substance but movement. Until, suddenly, by the end of the answer, the substance miraculously turns into something else in some unfathomable way.

How to avoid these travel-like descriptions?

1️⃣ Turn the names of places or containers into actions verbs.

- The water goes into a filter >> The water is filtered.

- The water goes into a carbonation tank >> The water is carbonated.

2️⃣ Add a purpose to the place.

- The water goes into a mixing tank to be blended with coloring, syrup, and flavor.

- The carbonated water is then directed to the next tank so that it can be mixed with coloring, syrup, and flavor.

This task is sometimes problematic even for higher levels because the answer tends to be very short, around 160-170 words. My answer is 214 words long. Would you like to see it? 🧋

#ieltswritingtask1