The flow chart below explains how laundry is handled.
Sample Response
The flowchart illustrates how a commercial laundry service works. There are nine or ten steps involved in handling laundry, and the number of steps depends on the type of laundry.
After laundry is collected from suppliers, it is separated into towels and linen. Each type of laundry is loaded into laundry bags, which are then transported and loaded into a laundry machine. Following that, the washing cycle begins, and it takes two hours from start to finish. After washing, water is partially drained from the laundry by pressing, and the next stage is different for towels and linen. Towels are dried completely, whereas linen is only partially dried. The half-wet linen is then ironed. In the final step, laundry, including both towels and linen, is transported to the folding machine.
Overall, the entire process is very similar for the two types of laundry. The only step that differs relates to the level of dryness of the laundered fabric.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Avoid unsupported detail Original: commercial laundry service Suggested revision: laundry service Why it matters: The diagram identifies a laundry process but does not explicitly label the service as commercial.
- 2. Reduce repetition Original: loaded into laundry bags Suggested revision: placed in laundry bags Why it matters: This avoids repeating “laundry” while preserving the stage shown.
- 3. Use direct sequencing Original: Following that, the washing cycle begins Suggested revision: The washing cycle then begins Why it matters: This gives the sequence a clearer subject and a more direct transition.
- 4. Use concise duration Original: and it takes two hours from start to finish Suggested revision: and lasts two hours Why it matters: “Lasts” expresses the stated duration more concisely.
- 5. Use precise process verb Original: drained Suggested revision: extracted Why it matters: “Extracted” describes the effect of pressing more precisely.
- 6. Clarify the branch Original: the next stage is different for towels and linen Suggested revision: the process then diverges for towels and linen Why it matters: This wording makes the split into two process paths explicit.
- 7. Sentence rewrite Original: There are nine or ten steps involved in handling laundry, and the number of steps depends on the type of laundry. Suggested revision: There are eight stages for towels and nine for linen. Why it matters: The diagram shows eight boxes on the towel path and nine on the linen path.
- 8. Sentence rewrite Original: The only step that differs relates to the level of dryness of the laundered fabric. Suggested revision: After pressing, towels are dried completely, while linen is left half-wet and ironed before both types are sent for folding. Why it matters: The paths differ in both drying and the additional ironing stage for linen.
Suggested Rewrites
- commercial laundry service laundry service
- loaded into laundry bags placed in laundry bags
- Following that, the washing cycle begins The washing cycle then begins
- and it takes two hours from start to finish and lasts two hours
- drained extracted
- the next stage is different for towels and linen the process then diverges for towels and linen
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response is strongest in its clear, fluent sequencing of the process, with accurate coverage of almost every stage and effective comparison of towels and linen. Its main weakness is the overview's claim that dryness is the only difference, which overlooks the extra ironing stage for linen, alongside an inaccurate stage count. Prioritise a fully accurate overview that identifies both the branching treatment and the additional linen step.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The report accurately describes nearly all stages and provides an overview, but its stage count and claim about the sole difference are not fully supported by the diagram.
State that the two routes differ both in drying treatment and in the additional ironing stage for linen, and avoid counting stages unless the total is verified.
Coherence and Cohesion
The process is organised into a clear chronological sequence, and cohesive devices guide the reader smoothly through the shared and branching stages.
Place the overview immediately after the introduction so the overall structure is apparent before the detailed sequence begins.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is precise and varied for the process, including appropriate terms for collection, separation, pressing, drying, ironing, and folding.
Reduce repetition of laundry by using precise alternatives such as items, fabrics, or the two loads where the reference remains unambiguous.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of sentence structures is used accurately, including passive forms and complex clauses that clearly express sequence and contrast.
Refine the opening overview with a more exact comparative clause while maintaining the strong grammatical control shown throughout.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The flow chart below explains how laundry is handled.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.