IELTS Writing Task 1 - Flow Chart (Applying for a Student Visa)
A flow chart shows the steps in a process, in boxes joined by arrows. Follow the arrows, count the stages, split them into two phases, and turn every label into a present simple passive sentence.
Key points
The example question and chart from the video
The flow chart below shows the process of applying for a student visa. 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 | Offer | place on a course, from a university |
| 2 | Documents | passport + bank statements |
| 3 | Online form | completed and submitted |
| 4 | Visa fee | paid online |
| 5 | Appointment | booked at a visa centre |
| 6 | Interview | questions about the course |
| 7 | Fingerprints | + photo, to confirm identity |
| 8 | Decision | within about 3 weeks |
| 9 | Visa issued | passport returned with visa |
The same nine stages as a list, so you can follow the model answer.
Band 9 model answer from the video (191 words)
The flow chart illustrates the steps involved in applying for a student visa.
Overall, there are nine stages in the process, beginning with an offer of a place on a course and ending with the passport being returned with the visa. The process can be divided into two main phases: preparing the application, and attending a visa centre and waiting for a decision.
In the first phase, which involves preparing the application, a place on a course is offered by a university, and the necessary documents, such as a passport and bank statements, are then gathered. After that, an online application form is completed and submitted, and the visa fee is paid online. Once the fee has been paid, an appointment is booked at a visa centre.
In the second phase, which involves attending a visa centre and waiting for a decision, the student is asked questions about the course at an interview. Next, their fingerprints and a photo are taken in order to confirm their identity. After this, a decision is made within about three weeks. Finally, the passport is returned with the visa inside, which completes the application process.
Chapters in this video (16)
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:10Example Question
- 1:57How a Flow Chart Is Different
- 2:41How to Read the Flow Chart
- 4:09Turning Labels into Sentences
- 5:29Using the Passive Voice
- 6:15Adding Time and Purpose
- 7:02Answer Structure
- 7:38Writing the Introduction
- 8:24Writing the Overview
- 11:34Body Paragraph 1 (Preparing the Application)
- 13:09Body Paragraph 2 (Attending a Visa Centre and Waiting for a Decision)
- 14:27Sequencing Words
- 15:30Three Common Mistakes
- 16:05Final Answer
- 16:42Outro
Sequencing words
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| In the first phase, / At the first stage, | the start | In the first phase, which involves preparing the application, a place on a course is offered by a university. |
| After that, / Next, / After this, | the middle stages | After that, an online application form is completed and submitted. |
| Once ... | when one stage is finished | Once the fee has been paid, an appointment is booked at a visa centre. |
| and ... then | joins two stages in one sentence | A place is offered, and the necessary documents are then gathered. |
| in order to | purpose | Their fingerprints and a photo are taken in order to confirm their identity. |
| Finally, | the last stage | Finally, the passport is returned with the visa inside. |
Practice task: Joining a public library
The flow chart below shows the process of joining a public library and borrowing a book. 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 | Registration form | filled in at the library desk |
| 2 | Identity check | photo ID + proof of address shown |
| 3 | Library card | printed and given on the same day |
| 4 | Book search | online catalogue used to find a book |
| 5 | Borrowing | book scanned at a self-service machine |
| 6 | Reminder | email sent two days before the due date |
| 7 | Return | book put in the returns box |
| 8 | Shelving | book checked and put back on the shelf by staff |
The same eight 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: joining the library (stages 1 to 3) and borrowing and returning a book (stages 4 to 8).
Turn every label into a present simple passive sentence: a form is filled in, photo ID is shown, a card is printed. Use only the chart's words.
Add the time and detail from the chart (on the same day, two days before the due date), and use sequencing words such as once, after that, next and finally.
Show model answer (try first!)
The flow chart illustrates the steps involved in joining a public library and borrowing a book.
Overall, there are eight stages in the process, beginning with a registration form being filled in and ending with the book being put back on the shelf. The process can be divided into two main phases: joining the library, and borrowing and returning a book.
In the first phase, which involves joining the library, a registration form is filled in at the library desk, and photo ID and proof of address are then shown. Once the identity check has been completed, a library card is printed and given to the new member on the same day.
In the second phase, which involves borrowing and returning a book, the book is first found using the online catalogue. After that, it is scanned at a self-service machine. Two days before the due date, a reminder is sent by email. Next, the book is put in the returns box, and finally it is checked and put back on the shelf by staff.
175 words
This practice task and its model answer were written for the website. The video teaches the method with its own example (applying for a student visa), shown above.
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