Hi, today we’re going to write a model answer for this process task. I’ll show you how to write the full answer, beginning with identifying the key features, and planning the answer. We’ll then write the introduction, which will involve paraphrasing the task rubric and then writing an overview. Next we’ll write our body paragraphs by explaining what we can see in the chart or diagram in more detail.
Key Features
So, first things first, what are the key features we can see in this diagram?
When looking for key features in a process diagram, first look at how the process begins, and then what is the final result of the process. In this case the process begins with wind power hitting the turbine, and ends with electrical power entering the electricity grid. We can also look at how many stages are involved in the process. In this case, we can see 5 elements drawn in the process, so we could consider these as stages.
Planning Body Paragraphs
For a process diagram, we need to find a way to divide the process into two groups, for our two body paragraphs. This is usually half way through the process somewhere. This process diagram doesn’t offer an easy place to divide the process in two, but perhaps we could use the generator as this half-way point, because at this point the mechanical power is transferred into electric power. Our first body paragraph can focus on the mechanical power part of the process, while the second body paragraph focuses on the conversion into electric power.
The Introduction
Now it’s time to write our introduction. To do this, we need to first paraphrase the task rubric, and next, write the overview of the key feature we identified previously.
To paraphrase the task rubric we need to look for different words, parts of speech and voice which we can use, and vary word order where possible. In fact, changing word order normally results from changing parts of speech and voice, so we don’t really need to think about this directly.
I’ve done a post focused on paraphrasing academic task 1 rubrics already, so you can see that here. In that video we paraphrase this task, as well as several others.
Paraphrasing the Task Rubric
The diagram illustrates the process for generating electrical power from wind, including the stages and the equipment used
So here we have one way we could paraphrase the rubric. We’ve significantly changed the vocabulary and grammar compared to the original rubric, but kept the meaning. This will start our introduction.
Adding an Overview
Next, we’ll add our overview. We’ve already identified the key features of the process, so let’s put this into words:
Overall, it can be seen that wind energy is turned into electricity through a three stage process. The process begins with wind energy, which is captured with a turbine, being turned into mechanical power. It ends with this power being converted into electrical energy and sent to the national electricity network.
We can begin with ‘Overall,’. This shows the reader that we are giving an overview. Next we can use a passive phrase, ‘it can be seen’. We could also simply say, ‘we can see’, but why not use the passive to improve grammatical range. After that we explain how the process begins and ends and the three stages involved.
Body Paragraphs
We’ve already identified three stages in the process, so we can split the body paragraphs using these stages. The first stages, where the wind power enters the system, and is then turned into mechanical power can be body paragraph one. The third stage where the mechanical power is converted into electric power and put onto the grid can be the second body paragraph.
Body Paragraph 1
At this point we need to describe the process in as much detail as possible. Let’s look at a model body paragraph 1.
In order to produce electricity from wind, firstly a large wind turbine must be installed, which rotates when the wind is blowing. The wind energy causes the turbine to spin, and then a set of gears in a gearbox converts the slow spins of the large turbine into a much faster spinning motion. In this way significant mechanical energy is produced from the wind energy.
We explain the process in detail and try to use as much relevant academic vocabulary as possible. Useful vocabulary here includes, install to talk about setting up the system, rotate to describe how the turbine moves in a circle, we also use spin, which has the same meaning as rotate, and we use keywords like gears, convert, motion, and produce. Putting this all together, we have a detailed explanation of the first two stages of the process.
Body Paragraph 2
Now, let's look at a model for body paragraph 2:
Following this, the mechanical energy is transformed into electric power in a generator. Next, this electrical power moves to a power interface where it is then loaded onto the electricity grid. Throughout this process a control system ensures that the amount of energy going through the system is managed. Finally, the electrical energy can be transported large distances across the electricity network and used by devices across the network area.
In this paragraph we describe the next stage of the process in detail. We use relevant academic vocabulary such as transform to describe the change from mechanical energy to electric power. We use load to describe putting electricity onto the grid. We talk about how the control system ‘manages’ the process. We also use words such as transport, and network to describe the process without repeating vocabulary that is given in the diagram.
Final Comments
And that’s it. We’ve taken the diagram, and explained the process in as much detail as possible while trying to use a wide range of relevant vocabulary, not given in the diagram itself. We’ve only described what we can see in the diagram, and we’ve avoided making our own guesses about the process. The key to success here is using lots of relevant vocabulary, and explaining the process without using words given to you. If you can do this well, you’ll get a high band. This model shows you how you could get bands 8 to 9.
I hope that was helpful. If you’d like to read the model answer, and check out definitions of the key vocabulary, go here. Thanks, and best of luck with your test preparation!
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