Task
The diagrams below show the stages and equipment used in the cement-making process, and how cement is used to produce concrete for building purposes.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Candidate’s Answer
This is written by a candidate who achieved a Band 6.0 score.
The diagrams show the processes and the equipments used to make cement, and how these are used to produce concrete for building purposes.
The first step in the cement production is to introduce limestone clay. These materials pass through a crusher that produces a powder. Then this powder goes into a miser. After this, the product passes to a rotating heater which works with heat. Afterwards, the mixture goes into a grinder where the cement comes out. At the end of the process, the cement is packed in bags.
Referring to the concret production, the process begins with a combination of 15% cement, 10% water, 25% and sand 50% gravel. These four elements are introduced into a concrete mixer.
As mentioned above, the concrete production takes fewer steps than the cement production; however, it is necessary to use more materials than the latter process in order to obtain the product.
The last difference between both processes is that the concrete mixer does not work with heat.
Examiner’s Comment
This answer presents the information in the two diagrams appropriately. The main differences between the two processes are identified in a clear summary, but other important features could be described more fully. The organisation of information is the strongest feature of this script. The description is well organised and there is a smooth progression across the whole answer that is achieved through good use of linkers and referencing phrases. A range of relevant vocabulary is used, although this is not wide and there are some less suitable word choices. There are a few mistakes in spelling, but these do not make the answer difficult to understand. A mix of sentence forms is used and there are some accurate examples of complex structures, but the many short, simple sentences tend to limit the range.
