IELTS Writing Task 1 - Flow Chart (HR Recruitment Process)
Some flow charts have decision points: a yes/no question where the process splits into two paths. Follow the arrows, count the stages, find the decisions, and describe each one with "if ...; otherwise ...".
Key points
The example question and chart from the video
The flow chart below shows the recruitment process used by the human resources (HR) department of a company. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
| Step | Label on the chart | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Requirements | skills + experience listed |
| 2 | Job advert | posted online for 2 weeks |
| 3 | Application | form downloaded, completed + sent |
| Decision 1 | Shortlisted? | No: rejection email sent / Yes: stage 4 |
| 4 | Invitation | to an interview |
| 5 | Interview | to check skills + experience |
| Decision 2 | Successful? | No: rejection email sent / Yes: stage 6 |
| 6 | Selection | best candidate + a reserve |
| 7 | Job offer | made to the best candidate |
The same seven stages and two decisions as a list, so you can follow the model answer.
Band 9 model answer from the video (170 words)
The flow chart illustrates how a company's HR department recruits a new employee.
Overall, there are seven stages in the process, which begins with the job requirements being listed and ends with a job offer being made. There are also two decision points, at which unsuccessful applicants are sent a rejection email.
At the first stage, the required skills and experience are listed, and a job advert is then posted online for two weeks. After that, an application form is downloaded, completed and sent. At this point, the first decision is made: if an application is not shortlisted, a rejection email is sent; otherwise, the applicant is invited to an interview.
Next, an interview is held in order to check the candidate's skills and experience. Following the interview, a second decision is made: if a candidate is unsuccessful, a rejection email is also sent; otherwise, they move on to the final selection. Finally, the best candidate and a reserve are selected, and the job is then offered to the former.
Chapters in this video (16)
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:15Example Question
- 2:07How a Flow Chart Is Different
- 3:03How to Read the Flow Chart
- 4:53Turning Labels into Sentences
- 6:12Using the Passive Voice
- 6:59Adding Time and Purpose
- 7:47Answer Structure
- 8:27Writing the Introduction
- 9:03Writing the Overview
- 10:56Body Paragraph 1 (Applications and Shortlisting)
- 12:29Body Paragraph 2 (The Interview and the Final Choice)
- 13:41Sequencing Words and Decisions
- 14:43Three Common Mistakes
- 15:19Final Answer
- 15:57Outro
Sequencing and decision words
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| At the first stage, | the start | At the first stage, the required skills and experience are listed. |
| After that, / Next, / Following ..., | the middle stages | After that, an application form is downloaded, completed and sent. |
| At this point, | a decision point | At this point, the first decision is made. |
| if ...; otherwise, ... | the two paths of a decision | If a candidate is unsuccessful, a rejection email is sent; otherwise, they move on to the final selection. |
| in order to | purpose | An interview is held in order to check the candidate's skills and experience. |
| Finally, | the last stage | Finally, the best candidate and a reserve are selected. |
Practice task: Returning an item bought online
The flow chart below shows the process of returning an item bought online and receiving a refund. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
| Stage | Label on the chart | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Return request | made on the shop's website within 14 days |
| 2 | Reason | chosen from a drop-down list |
| 3 | Return label | printed and stuck on the parcel |
| 4 | Drop-off | parcel left at a collection point |
| 5 | Inspection | item checked at the warehouse |
| 6 | Refund | paid to the original card within 3 days |
| 7 | Confirmation | email sent to the customer |
The same seven stages as a list, so you can follow the model answer.
In the overview, give the number of stages, the first and the last stage, and the two main phases: preparing the return (stages 1 to 4) and the checking and refund (stages 5 to 7).
Turn every label into a present simple passive sentence: a request is made, a reason is chosen, a label is printed. Use only the chart's words.
Add the time and detail from the chart (within 14 days, within 3 days), and use sequencing words such as after that, once, next and finally.
Show model answer (try first!)
The flow chart illustrates the steps involved in returning an item bought online and receiving a refund.
Overall, there are seven stages in the process, beginning with a return request being made and ending with a confirmation email being sent. The process can be divided into two main phases: preparing the return, and the checking and refund of the item.
In the first phase, a return request is made on the shop's website within 14 days of the purchase, and a reason is then chosen from a drop-down list. After that, a return label is printed and stuck on the parcel, which is then taken to a nearby collection point and left there for the courier.
In the second phase, the item is checked carefully at the warehouse once it has arrived. Next, a refund is paid to the customer's original card within three days. Finally, a confirmation email is sent to the customer.
154 words
This practice task and its model answer were written for the website. The video teaches the method with its own example (an HR recruitment process), shown above.
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