IELTS Writing Task 1: How to Describe a Process Diagram

The diagram illustrates the ten-stage process by which olive oil is produced, from the initial harvest through to commercial distribution. The process begins in the olive grove, where olives are harvested either by hand or using mechanical equipment, depending on the scale of production. The harvested olives are then transported to a processing mill, where they are washed and cleaned to remove leaves, dirt, and debris. Once clean, the olives are crushed using either traditional stone mills or modern steel disc crushers, which break down the fruit into a coarse paste. This paste is then subjected to malaxation — a slow mixing process that encourages the oil droplets to coalesce into larger amounts, making subsequent extraction more efficient. The paste is subsequently processed in a centrifuge, which separates the olive oil from water and solid residue. The extracted oil then undergoes filtration to remove any remaining impurities before being transferred into stainless steel storage tanks, where it is held until needed. In the final stages, the oil is bottled and labelled according to grade and variety, before being distributed to retailers and consumers. In summary, olive oil production is a linear process moving from agricultural harvesting through mechanical processing to commercial packaging. (Word count: 195)