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In IELTS Writing Task 1, you may be asked to describe a process diagram. This could represent how something is made or how something works. One common diagram type is the Natural Process, which shows natural life cycles or phenomena such as the life cycle of animals and plants or weather-related processes.

In this article, IDP IELTS provides a complete guide to understanding the Natural Process task, how to approach it, and how to develop strong content and vocabulary to describe natural cycles clearly and effectively.

1. Overview of the Natural Process Task

The Natural Process is a common type of diagram question in IELTS Writing Task 1. This task typically asks you to describe a natural life cycle, such as the life cycle of a bee, frog, or butterfly, or natural phenomena like the water cycle or evaporation.

Unlike artificial processes, natural processes occur without human intervention. Therefore, it is recommended to use the active voice when describing each stage.

To answer this type of task, follow the sequence shown in the diagram. Avoid inserting personal opinions or extra information not provided in the diagram.

2. Steps to Write a Natural Process Task

To perform well in a Natural Process task, you need to analyze the diagram carefully and construct a clear, logical structure. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Analyze the diagram carefully

  • Identify the number of stages.

  • Determine the starting and ending points.

  • Understand the relationship between stages: is it sequential, simultaneous, or branched?

Step 2: Write the introduction

Paraphrase the task question using different words while keeping the meaning. Keep it short and do not copy from the diagram.

Step 3: Write an overview

Summarize the process from beginning to end, highlighting the main stages and the final outcome.

Step 4: Write the body paragraphs

Divide the body into two paragraphs. Each paragraph should describe one or more related stages in detail.

  • For circular diagrams: The process repeats itself, and the starting and ending points are usually the same.

  • For linear diagrams: Follow the numbered stages or logical order shown.

Use linking phrases like firstly, secondly, then, next, after that, before, finally to connect stages and ensure smooth transitions.

Step 5: Review your writing

  • Check grammar and spelling.

  • Ensure clear and coherent sentence structure.

  • Make sure the word count is at least 150 words.

3. Example: The Life Cycle of a Frog

Task prompt:

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The diagram below shows the life cycle of a frog. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Step 1: Identify the stages

The frog’s life cycle begins with fertilised eggs and ends with a mature adult frog.

  • Early stage: Fertilised eggs develop into embryos, which hatch into tadpoles. Tadpoles live under aquatic plants. Initially, they are small, black, and have long tails. They then grow external gills and develop hind legs.

  • Middle stage: Tadpoles use tail nutrients for growth. Front legs start to appear, and the tail begins to shrink.

  • Final stage: The tadpole becomes a young frog with four limbs. As it matures, its color changes from black to dark green and then to bright green.

Step 2: Introduction

Paraphrase the task using these structures:

  • The diagram illustrates how...

  • The process of...

  • How ... is formed or produced

  • Show the transformation of...

Example: The diagram illustrates the natural life cycle of a frog, beginning with fertilised eggs and ending with a fully developed adult amphibian.

Step 3: Overview

Summarize the number of stages and the beginning and end of the process.

Example: There are seven main stages in the frog’s life cycle, starting from fertilised eggs and ending with a mature frog capable of reproduction.

Step 4: Body paragraphs

Paragraph 1: Early stages

Initially, fertilised eggs grow into embryos, which then hatch into small black tadpoles. These tadpoles shelter under aquatic plants and develop external gills for respiration. As they grow, their tails elongate and hind legs begin to form, helping them swim and survive in their environment.

Paragraph 2: Later stages

Next, the tadpoles develop front legs while their tails gradually shrink and disappear. Their color changes from black to dark green and finally to bright green. By the final stage, the frog is fully developed with four limbs and becomes an adult amphibian capable of reproduction.

Writing Tips:

  • Use cohesive devices and sequencing words.

  • Include subject-specific vocabulary such as embryo, tadpole, metamorphosis, fertilised eggs, gills, amphibian to enhance your lexical resource score.

4. Sample Answer – Natural Process IELTS Writing Task 1

Task: You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The diagram below shows the life cycle of a frog. Write at least 150 words.

Sample Answer:

The diagram illustrates the natural life cycle of a frog, starting from fertilised eggs and progressing through several stages. There are seven main stages in total, beginning with eggs and ending with a fully matured adult frog.

Initially, fertilised eggs develop into embryos, which hatch into small black tadpoles. These tadpoles live under aquatic plants and use external gills to breathe. As they grow, their tails become longer, and hind legs start to form, allowing greater movement and adaptation to their aquatic surroundings.

In the next stage, front limbs begin to grow while the tail gradually shortens and eventually disappears. During this transformation, the tadpole's color shifts from black to dark green and finally bright green. At the final stage, the frog has developed four limbs, loses its tail entirely, and matures into an adult amphibian capable of reproduction.

High-Scoring Vocabulary:

  • Fertilised eggs – eggs that have been fertilised to start development

  • Aquatic plants – plants living in water

  • Elongate – to become longer

  • Shrinks – becomes smaller

  • Transformation – change in form

  • Matures – becomes fully developed

  • Amphibian – an animal that lives both in water and on land

Master the Natural Process Task in IELTS Writing

By following the structured steps and using diverse sentence structures and topic-specific vocabulary, you can confidently handle the Natural Process task in IELTS Writing Task 1. Practice is key, so make use of IDP’s IELTS preparation materials for more exercises and real test simulations.

Ready to conquer IELTS Academic Writing? Take a free IELTS computer-delivered mock test with IDP to get used to the format and improve your time management. Plus, with IELTS One Skill Retake, you have the chance to retake any one skill if needed.

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About this Article

Published on 09 January, 2025

About this Author

One Skill Retake - IELTS Australia
Quynh Khanh

Tôi là Quỳnh Khanh - Content Writer có hơn 5 năm kinh nghiệm về lĩnh vực giáo dục