Butterfly Life Cycle – STUDENT'S EDITION

The Task

The diagram below shows the life cycle of a butterfly.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

← swipe to see the whole diagram →

1How many stages? Name them.

The diagram has 5 stages. It is a natural process (a life cycle) shown as a cycle: the adult butterfly lays eggs, and the cycle returns to the egg stage.

Phase 1 – Early development (egg, caterpillar, pupa) (Stages 1–3)

1
Eggs on a leafTiny eggs are laid on a leaf.
2
CaterpillarThe caterpillar (larva) eats leaves and grows quickly.
3
Pupa (chrysalis)The caterpillar forms a chrysalis and changes inside it.

Phase 2 – Adult life (Stages 4–5)

4
Adult emergesAn adult butterfly comes out of the chrysalis.
5
Feeding and laying eggsThe adult drinks nectar, mates and lays eggs on a leaf.

The diagram does not label the phases. This lesson divides the cycle into the early stages before the butterfly appears (stages 1–3) and adult life (stages 4–5).

3Sentence Formulas – All Stages

Use these formulas to build one sentence for each stage, then check yourself in Step 5. Band 6.0 = safe and clear · Band 7.0 = more precise and more complex.

LinkerSubjectVerb (be + V3)Object / Place / ResultTime / Purpose

Stage	Band 6.0 formula	Band 7.0 formula
1 Eggs on a leaf	Sequencer + adj + N + are + V3 + on + place, and + they + V + after + time	The cycle commences with + adj + N + V3 phrase (reduced passive) + on + place, which + V + within + time
2 Caterpillar	Sequencer + S + comes out of + N + and + V(s) + N + for about + time	Following this + S, appositive + emerges and feeds on + N + for + time, V-ing participle phrase
3 Pupa (chrysalis)	Sequencer + S + becomes + N + inside + N, where + it + V(s) + for about + time	Once + adverb + adj (reduced clause) + S + encloses itself in + N, in which + it + undergoes + adj + N + over + time
4 Adult emerges	In the + stage + S + comes out of + N + and + V(s) + its + N	Turning to the + stage + a + adj + N + breaks out of + N + and waits for + N + to V
5 Feeding and laying eggs	Final sequencer + S + V(s) + N + from + N + and + S + V(s) + N + on + N, so + the cycle + starts again	In the final stage + S + feeds on + N + from + N, after + V-ing, S + lays + a new batch of + N, thereby + V-ing (result)

4Linkers – Sequencing Words & Transitions

Use a different linker for each stage. Avoid “Then … Then … Then”.

Beginning

First / Firstly
To begin with
In the initial stage
The process begins with + N / V-ing

Middle (next step)

After that / Afterwards
Next / then (be + then + V3)
Following this / Subsequently
In the next stage

Time clauses (finished step)

Once + S + have been + V3, …
Once + (fully) + V3, …
After being + V3, …

Inside the same stage

during this stage / process
…, where + clause
…, in which + clause
…, which + verb
…, a process that + verb

Change of phase

In the second phase, …
Turning to the second phase, …

Ending

Finally / Lastly
In the final stage
The process ends with + N
… culminating in + N

5Translation Practice – Vietnamese → English

Translate each sentence. The word in ( ) is the key word you must use. Check the Tense note, write your answer, then press Show answer.

🔒 The answers in Step 5 are locked. Enter Password 1 from your teacher:

1

Đầu tiên, những quả trứng nhỏ được đẻ (laid) trên một chiếc lá, và chúng nở sau vài ngày.

Hiện tại đơn BỊ ĐỘNG (are laid) + Hiện tại đơn chủ động (hatch)

2

Tiếp theo, một con sâu bướm chui ra (comes out of) từ mỗi quả trứng và ăn lá trong khoảng hai đến bốn tuần.

Hiện tại đơn chủ động: comes out of, eats

3

Sau đó, sâu bướm trở thành nhộng (pupa) bên trong một lớp vỏ cứng, nơi nó biến đổi trong khoảng một đến hai tuần.

Hiện tại đơn chủ động + mệnh đề where

4

Ở giai đoạn trưởng thành, một con bướm chui ra khỏi kén và hong khô (dries) đôi cánh của nó.

Hiện tại đơn chủ động: comes out of, dries

5

Cuối cùng, con bướm hút mật hoa (nectar) từ những bông hoa và con cái đẻ trứng trên một chiếc lá, vì vậy chu trình bắt đầu lại.

Hiện tại đơn chủ động + so (kết quả)

6Linker Practice

Part A: drag (or tap) the linkers into the gaps. Part B: translate 10 sentences using the linker in ( ).

Part A – Drag & Drop (10 sentences)

Computer: drag a linker into a gap. Phone: tap a linker, then tap a gap. Tap a filled gap to remove its linker.

, tiny eggs are laid on a leaf.
The eggs hatch a few days.
A caterpillar comes out, eats leaves for several weeks.
The caterpillar grows quickly the feeding stage.
the caterpillar is fully grown, it forms a chrysalis.
The caterpillar forms a hard case, it changes into a butterfly.
the adult stage, a butterfly breaks out of the chrysalis.
The butterfly waits for its wings to dry and flies away.
The adult drinks nectar from flowers, it gets energy.
, the female lays new eggs and the cycle repeats.

Part B – Translate with Linkers (10 sentences)

Use the linker in ( ) and follow the Tense note.

1

Chu trình bắt đầu bằng (begins with) việc trứng được đẻ trên lá.

Hiện tại đơn chủ động · begins with + N + V3

The cycle begins with eggs being laid on a leaf.

2

Sau vài ngày (After a few days), trứng nở.

Hiện tại đơn chủ động

After a few days, the eggs hatch.

3

Một con sâu bướm chui ra, con sâu này (which) ăn lá rất nhiều.

Hiện tại đơn chủ động + mệnh đề which

A caterpillar comes out, which eats a large number of leaves.

4

Trong suốt (During) giai đoạn ăn lá, sâu bướm lớn lên rất nhanh.

During + N + Hiện tại đơn chủ động

During the feeding stage, the caterpillar grows very quickly.

5

Một khi (Once) sâu bướm đã lớn hoàn toàn, nó tạo thành kén.

Once + Hiện tại đơn chủ động

Once the caterpillar is fully grown, it forms a chrysalis.

6

Nó ở trong kén, nơi mà (where) nó biến đổi thành bướm.

Hiện tại đơn chủ động + mệnh đề where

It stays inside the chrysalis, where it changes into a butterfly.

7

Chuyển sang (Turning to) giai đoạn trưởng thành, con bướm chui ra khỏi kén.

Hiện tại đơn chủ động

Turning to the adult stage, the butterfly comes out of the chrysalis.

8

Sau đó (Subsequently), con bướm hút mật hoa từ những bông hoa.

Hiện tại đơn chủ động

Subsequently, the butterfly drinks nectar from flowers.

9

Ở giai đoạn cuối (In the final stage), con cái đẻ trứng trên lá.

Hiện tại đơn chủ động

In the final stage, the female lays eggs on a leaf.

10

Chu trình kết thúc bằng (ends with) việc những quả trứng mới được đẻ ra.

Hiện tại đơn chủ động · ends with + N + being + V3

The cycle ends with new eggs being laid.

7Introduction – Paraphrasing the Task

Replace the task words with synonyms. Yellow = Band 6 feature · Purple = Band 7 feature.

Original words (task)	Synonym 1 – Band 5.5	Synonym 2 – Band 6.5	Synonym 3 – Band 7.0
The diagram (below) shows	The diagram shows	The diagram illustrates	The given diagram depicts
the life cycle	the life cycle	the different stages in the life	the successive stages of development
of a butterfly	of a butterfly	of a butterfly, from egg to adult	that a butterfly passes through, from a tiny egg to a fully formed adult

Tip: “life cycle” can be paraphrased (stages of development), but keep “butterfly”. “chrysalis” and “pupa” are technical words – use them, do not replace them.

Sample Introductions

Sample 1 – Band 6.0

The diagram illustrates the different stages in the life of a butterfly, from egg to adult.

Band 6 features: a common reporting verb (illustrates), a simple noun phrase (the different stages in the life) and an added range (from egg to adult).

Sample 2 – Band 7.0

The given diagram depicts the successive stages of development that a butterfly passes through, from a tiny egg to a fully formed adult.

Band 7 features: precise verb (depicts), academic noun phrase (the successive stages of development) and a relative clause (that a butterfly passes through) with a precise range.

Template for students

The diagram shows / illustrates the life cycle / the stages of development of a butterfly, from an egg to an adult.

8Overview – Band 5.0 · 6.0 · 7.0

An overview gives (1) the number of stages and (2) the start and end; higher bands add (3) the main phases in more precise language. No details (no “a few days”, “2–4 weeks”, “1–2 weeks”, “leaves” or “nectar”).

Band 5.0

Overall, there are number steps in this process. It starts with N / V-ing and finishes with N / V-ing.

Example – Band 5.0

Overall, there are five steps in this life cycle. It starts with eggs on a leaf and finishes with the adult butterfly laying new eggs.

Why only Band 5: two short simple sentences, basic words (steps, starts, finishes), no phases.

Band 6.0

Overall, there are number stages in the process, which can be divided into two main phases: A and B. The process begins with V-ing / N and ends with V-ing / N.

Example – Band 6.0

Overall, there are five stages in the life cycle, which can be divided into two main phases: early development and adult life. The cycle begins with eggs being laid on a leaf and ends with the adult laying new eggs, so it is a cyclical process.

Band 7.0

Overall, the process comprises number + distinct stages, which fall into two main phases – A and B – commencing with the + N of + N and culminating in the + N of + N.

Example – Band 7.0

Overall, the life cycle comprises five distinct stages, which fall into two main phases – early development and adult life – commencing with the laying of eggs on a leaf and culminating in the production of a new generation of eggs.

Band 7 features: comprises, distinct, fall into, dashes for the phases, nominalisation (the + N of + N), commencing with … culminating in in one sentence.

Template – Band 6.0

Overall, there are number stages in the process, which can be divided into two main phases: phase 1 and phase 2. The process begins with V-ing / N and ends with V-ing / N.

Template – Band 7.0

Overall, the process comprises number distinct stages, which fall into two main phases – phase 1 and phase 2 – commencing with the + N of + N and culminating in the + N of + N.

9Writing Practice – Paragraph by Paragraph

Essay plan: Introduction → Overview → Body 1: Stages 1–3 → Body 2: Stages 4–5. Your writing is saved automatically on this device.

Paragraph	From	To	Content	Suggested words
Introduction	–	–	Paraphrase the task	20–35
Overview	Stage 1	Stage 5	Number of stages, 2 phases, start → end	30–40
Body 1	1. Eggs on a leaf	3. Pupa (chrysalis)	Early development (egg, caterpillar, pupa): Eggs on a leaf → Caterpillar → Pupa (chrysalis)	60–80
Body 2	4. Adult emerges	5. Feeding and laying eggs	Adult life: Adult emerges → Feeding and laying eggs	50–70

A · Introduction

Exercise 1 – Match the paraphrase

Choose the best synonym for each original word from the task.

shows →
the life cycle →
below →
egg →
adult →

Exercise 2 – Complete the Introduction

Type ONE word in each gap (do not copy the task words).

The diagram the successive stages of that a butterfly passes through, from a tiny to a fully formed .

Exercise 3 – Write your Introduction

Use the template in Step 7. Use at least 3 synonyms from the table.

Words: 0 (target 20–35)

I changed the reporting verb and at least two key words of the task.
I kept technical words and explained them if needed.
My Introduction is ONE sentence and has no data.

🔒 Models open with Password 2 – unlock it in Model Answers.

B · Overview

Exercise 4 – Complete the Overview

Type ONE word (or number) in each gap.

, there are stages in the life cycle, which can be into two main : early development and life. The cycle with eggs being laid on a leaf and with the adult laying new eggs, so it is a process.

Exercise 5 – Choose the best Overview

Which sentence is a good Band 6.0+ overview?

A. Overall, the caterpillar eats leaves for two to four weeks and the pupa changes for one to two weeks.B. Overall, the life cycle has five stages in two phases, beginning with eggs on a leaf and ending with the adult laying new eggs.C. Overall, butterflies are the most beautiful insects in the world.

Why? A gives times – these belong in the Body. C is an opinion – never in Task 1. B gives the number of stages, the two phases, and the start and end of the cycle.

Exercise 6 – Write your Overview

Use the Band 6.0 or Band 7.0 template in Step 8.

Words: 0 (target 30–40)

I started with “Overall,”.
I gave the number of stages and the two phases.
I named the first and the last stage. No specific details or numbers.

🔒 Models open with Password 2 – unlock it in Model Answers.

C · Body 1 – from Stage 1 to Stage 3

Exercise 7 – Verb forms (active / passive)

Write the correct present simple form of the verb in brackets – active or passive.

First, tiny eggs (lay) on a leaf.
The eggs (hatch) after a few days.
A caterpillar (come) out of each egg.
It (eat) leaves and (grow) quickly.
Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar (change) into a butterfly.

Exercise 8 – Check the details in the diagram

Look at the diagram and complete each fact (one word or number).

The eggs are laid on a .
The caterpillar feeds on for about two to weeks.
The pupa stays inside a hard case called a .
The pupa stage lasts about one to weeks.

Exercise 9 – Write Body 1 (Stages 1 → 3)

Start with “In the early stages, … / The cycle commences with …”. Use different linkers and include the key details.

Words: 0 (target 60–80)

I covered stages 1–3 in order: eggs, caterpillar, chrysalis.
I used active verbs (hatch, eats, becomes) and the passive only where needed (are laid).
I included “a few days”, “2–4 weeks” and “1–2 weeks”.
I used at least one complex sentence (which / once / in which).

🔒 Models open with Password 2 – unlock it in Model Answers.

D · Body 2 – from Stage 4 to Stage 5

Exercise 10 – Put the sentences in order

Choose 1–4 for each sentence.

Finally, the female lays eggs on a leaf, so the cycle starts again.

In the adult stage, a butterfly comes out of the chrysalis.

First, it waits for its wings to dry.

Then, the butterfly drinks nectar from flowers.

Exercise 11 – Choose the correct linker

Pick the word or phrase that fits each gap.

, a butterfly out of the chrysalis.
It drinks nectar from flowers, gives it energy.
, the female lays eggs, completing the cycle.

Exercise 12 – Write Body 2 (Stages 4 → 5)

Start with “In the adult stage, … / Turning to the adult stage, …”.

Words: 0 (target 50–70)

I covered stages 4–5: the adult emerges, feeds and lays eggs.
I mentioned nectar and new eggs.
I said that the cycle starts again.

🔒 Models open with Password 2 – unlock it in Model Answers.

E · Put it all together

Exercise 13 – Your full essay

Press “Collect my paragraphs” to copy your four paragraphs here, then edit them into one essay.

Words: 0 (minimum 150)

Model Answers – Band 6.0 & Band 7.0

Try writing your own essay first, then open a model to compare. Highlighted = key collocations to learn.

🔒 The model answers are locked. Enter Password 2 from your teacher:

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly

The Task

1How many stages? Name them.

Phase 1 – Early development (egg, caterpillar, pupa) (Stages 1–3)

Phase 2 – Adult life (Stages 4–5)

3Sentence Formulas – All Stages

4Linkers – Sequencing Words & Transitions

Beginning

Middle (next step)

Time clauses (finished step)

Inside the same stage

Change of phase

Ending

5Translation Practice – Vietnamese → English

6Linker Practice

Part A – Drag & Drop (10 sentences)

Part B – Translate with Linkers (10 sentences)

7Introduction – Paraphrasing the Task

Sample Introductions

8Overview – Band 5.0 · 6.0 · 7.0

Band 5.0

Band 6.0

Band 7.0

9Writing Practice – Paragraph by Paragraph

A · Introduction

Exercise 1 – Match the paraphrase

Exercise 2 – Complete the Introduction

Exercise 3 – Write your Introduction

B · Overview

Exercise 4 – Complete the Overview

Exercise 5 – Choose the best Overview

Exercise 6 – Write your Overview

C · Body 1 – from Stage 1 to Stage 3

Exercise 7 – Verb forms (active / passive)

Exercise 8 – Check the details in the diagram

Exercise 9 – Write Body 1 (Stages 1 → 3)

D · Body 2 – from Stage 4 to Stage 5

Exercise 10 – Put the sentences in order

Exercise 11 – Choose the correct linker

Exercise 12 – Write Body 2 (Stages 4 → 5)

E · Put it all together

Exercise 13 – Your full essay

Model Answers – Band 6.0 & Band 7.0