Recycling Plastic Bottles

The question

How to approach this process diagram question

A process diagram shows how something is made or how a cycle works. Describe the stages in order, using sequence language and the passive voice.

1. Say what process the diagram shows and how many stages it has.
2. Overview: the number of stages, where it starts and ends, and whether it is a cycle or a straight line.
3. Describe every stage in order (First, Next, After that, Finally) mostly in the passive: the grain is crushed.
4. Do not add opinions or explain why; describe what happens.

How to plan this answer

Structure

1. Overview: the diagram shows seven stages in two rows, starting with collection and ending with new products made from recycled bottles.
2. Body 1: the first row, with collection, sorting, washing and shredding, in order from left to right.
3. Body 2: the second row, with melting, pelletising and new products, and the arrow that links the two rows.

Key features to spot

• Bottles are collected in a blue recycling bin with the recycling symbol on it.
• On a conveyor belt, the bottles are sorted, with clear and green bottles separated.
• The bottles are washed in a tank of water, with sprays above.
• The bottles are shredded into small flakes, which are then melted.
• The melted plastic forms pellets, which are used to make new products such as bottles, a chair and a storage box.

Useful vocabulary

• are collected: The bottles are collected in a recycling bin.
• are sorted: The bottles are sorted on a conveyor belt.
• are washed: The bottles are washed in a tank of water.
• are shredded: The bottles are shredded into small pieces.
• are melted down: The flakes are melted down.
• are formed into: The melted plastic is formed into pellets.
• are then used to make: The pellets are then used to make new products.
• from left to right: The first row is read from left to right.
• is followed by: Shredding is followed by melting.
• the final stage: The final stage is the production of new products.

Common mistakes

• Placing shredding before washing. Washing comes third and shredding fourth.
• Putting melting before sorting. Melting appears in the second row, after shredding.
• Missing the link between the two rows. The arrow from the end of row one leads to melting.
• Stating only one new product. The diagram shows three products.
• Writing about why people recycle. The task does not ask for opinions.

Examiner tip: State the seven stages and the start and end points in your overview, then describe the two rows in order, using the arrow between them as the bridge.