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BEST IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, 20th May
IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1
IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1
The diagram below shows the stages and equipment used in the process of making matches. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Sample answer
The diagram shows that the process of manufacturing matches has several stages. The matchsticks are first cut, prepared, dried and moved to a storage area. After that, they are dipped into several chemicals and dried before being packaged.
In the first phase, a log of wood is placed in a peeler and rotated, while a flat blade peels a long, thin sheet of wood, called veneer, from the outer surface of the log. The veneer proceeds to the chopper, which cuts it into small sticks. These are then soaked in a vat of ammonium phosphate. Afterwards, they are placed in a large, rotating drum. From there, the matches are dumped into a hopper and blown through a metal duct to the storage area.
In the next stage, the sticks are moved from the storage area and they fall into a funnel-shaped device which lines them up to be inserted into holes on a long, continuous, perforated steel belt. As the belt moves along, the tips of the matches are dipped in a series of three tanks holding firstly paraffin wax, then base chemicals and finally tip chemicals. Next, the belt loops up and down through a drying area. In the final step of the process, the matches are packaged.
