Diagrams

Diagrams

⚡ TL;DR

Step-by-step guide to answering this type of IELTS Writing Task 1 question. Covers structure, key language, and band-scoring criteria.

Originally published July 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.

IELTS listening diagrams

In this post, we will look at diagrams in the listening test.

In the IELTS Listening test, you may see questions that ask you to label a diagram or process. The diagram may be a dissection of a machine or the different parts of a process. 

When you listen to the speaker talk through the diagram or process, they will describe it in a logical way and explain everything clearly. You must follow the speaker and not think about your own knowledge of the subject. 

TIP >> Listen out for the sequence of events – first, second, next, after that, finally.

TIP >> Be aware of paraphrasing during this part of the test.

Diagram Question

The question below shows a diagram with some parts labelled. The recording would talk you through the parts and their position. You would match up the answers to the correct part. 

Question

Write the correct number, 1-5, next to Questions A-E.

Diagram Question

Labelling Mechanical Parts

A question may ask you to label the parts of a machine or device.

Questions 1-5

Write the correct letter, A-F, next to questions 1-5 below. 

Tachometer Drive Parts

Labelling Mechanical Parts

Grammar 

When you describe a process, you would use adverbs and prepositions of movement.

Prepositions used with the verb to be can be used to state the location of something. 

For example;

  • The electrical cable is underneath the floor.
  • The water pipe is above the water tank.

Prepositions that show movement are sometimes combined with verbs other than to be.

For example;

  • The water was pumped out of the tank.
  • The wires were moved to another wall.

Prepositions of Movement

Prepositions of movement are used to show movement to or from a place.

For example;

to, through, across

When you use the word to it can show movement to a specific destination.

  • The pipe is going to reach the end of the house.
  • The pipe goes to the air conditioning unit.

Through is used to show movement from one side of a confined space to the other.

  • The cable went through the interior isolation.
  • The water pipe passes through the exterior of the house.

The word across is used to show movement from one side to another.

  • To reach the outside line, the pipe was passed across the roof. 
  • To get to the outside patio the cable went across the room.

More prepositions of movement >>

along – the inside of……

around – the edge of……

away from – the tracks

back to – the machine

down – the side of…..

into – the heating element

off – the side of the wall

out of – the box

over – the table

past – the pipe

round – the side of the machine

towards – the area beneath the table

under – the fan

up – the main cable line

The words at and in can be used to show the purpose of movement, for example;

  • The long thin cable is at the bottom of the wall. 
  • The ceiling fan is moving slowly in the other room.

Sequence

The words below can help you to connect the stages of the process you are writing about.

Sequencing helps you as the listener to understand the information clearly. This will also help you in Academic Writing Task 1 – Process.

Sequence

Process

A question may ask you to label the stages of a process.

TIP >> Study the process before you listen to the recording and read the list of options.

Process

REVIEW AND STRATEGY

TIP >> The plans, maps and diagrams questions do not follow the order that you hear the information in the recording. Therefore it is important that you read the questions and familiarise yourself with the diagram or process you are looking at before you start listening. 

TIP >> Study the diagram or process and see where things are before listening to the recording. Marks can be lost if you do not do this and read the questions properly.

TIP >> Listen carefully for information but be wary of distractors. 

TIP >> Make notes on the paper and draw lines etc. This may help you to locate information.

We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.

The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, then follow us on Instagram and Pinterest. 

If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.

Diagrams

Writing a Plan: IELTS Listening Practice Question

⚡ TL;DR

Proven strategies for this IELTS Listening question type. Includes prediction techniques and common traps to avoid.

Originally published July 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.

IELTS listening plans

In this post, we will look at plans in the listening test.

Students will have to understand a description of a place and follow directions. You will probably be familiar with some of these plans, as you see them when you visit galleries, museums and other places like schools. 

In section 2 you will probably hear a person talking about a topic that is not academic. It is usually someone talking about an event or showing them around a building. 

The plans below are a bit more complex than those that you will see in the IELTS Listening Test. When you listen to the recording during the test, look out for the language of location. For example, next to, near, opposite, in front of etc.

TIP >> During the test make notes and/or mark the way on the question paper before transferring your answers at the end. 

TIP >> Make sure you spell your answers correctly.

Question Example

Label the plan below.

Choose EIGHT answers from the box and write the correct letters A-I next to questions 11-15.

IELTS maps example quesion

The Language of Location

To understand the description of a plan and to locate certain places you need to understand the language of location. 

You should also be familiar with prepositions of place, such as in, at, on, by, next to, beside, near, between, among, behind, in front of, under, below, over, above, across, through, to, into, towards, onto and from. 

For example, if we look at the plan above;

  • Gallery 1 is next to gallery 2.
  • Gallery 2 is beside gallery 3.
  • Gallery 6 is in front of gallery 7.
common language of location for IELTS listening

Labelling A Plan

In order to be able to label a plan, you must listen for a description or directions on the recording. You will most likely hear a person describing a plan or showing people around somewhere. You may be given a list of possible answers in a box or not.

The information you hear will be in the same order as the recording. You should study the plan carefully before listening so that you have an idea of where the options may be. 

TIP >> You can cross out any options that you think are wrong and if you can’t decide between two answers, write both down and make a choice later.

Question Example

Label the plan.

Write the correct letter. A-E, next to questions 11-15.

Labelling A Plan

Distractors

A distractor is when you are given information that is wrong. This can lead you to choose the incorrect answer. They are common in the IELTS Listening tests, as they test your ability to choose the right information for the answers, by ignoring the wrong information.

The distractors will try to trick you into selecting the wrong answer, so you must listen carefully for specific information.

The distractors for this type of task might be more rooms etc on the plan or extra options in the list of possible answers. 

Paraphrasing

The questions will paraphrase the information from the recording, or a speaker in the recording may paraphrase, so you will have to use your knowledge of synonyms, noticing any keywords and terms. Recognising and using synonyms shows the examiner that you have good vocabulary knowledge. Paraphrasing is a skill that is needed in all parts of the test.

Review And Strategy

TIP >> The plans, maps and diagrams questions do not follow the order that you hear the information in the recording. Therefore it is important that you read the questions and familiarise yourself with the plan or map you are looking at before you start listening. 

TIP >> Study the map and see where things are before listening to the recording. Marks can be lost if you do not do this and read the questions properly.

TIP >> Listen carefully for information but be wary of distractors. 

TIP >> Make notes on the paper and draw lines to destinations etc. This may help you to locate information.

We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.

The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, then follow us on Instagram and Pinterest. 

If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.