IELTS Examiner / Practice Prompt Bank — GT & Academic / Academic Task 1
IELTS Academic Task 1: Process Diagram — Energy & engineering
Original practice prompt written in exam style — not a real exam question, and not a prediction.
The diagram below shows how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. The process is as follows. First, water from a river is held back by a dam, forming a large reservoir at a high level. When electricity is needed, gates in the dam are opened and the stored water flows down through wide pipes called penstocks. The force of the falling water spins the blades of a turbine at the bottom of the dam. The turbine is connected to a generator, which converts the spinning movement into electrical energy. The electricity then passes through a transformer and is carried away by high-voltage transmission lines. Finally, the water is released through an outlet channel and continues flowing down the river below the dam.
Examiner focus: A linear energy chain: stored water → movement → electricity. Use the passive voice and sequencing links (first, next, finally).
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