Rice: Field to Table – STUDENT'S EDITION

The Task

The diagram below shows the stages in the production of rice, from planting the seeds to packing the rice for sale.

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 8 stages. It is a man-made process shown as a linear sequence – from sowing rice seeds in a nursery bed to packing milled rice into bags for sale.

Phase 1 – Growing rice in the field (Stages 1–4)

1
Sowing seedsRice seeds are planted in a small nursery bed.
2
TransplantingThe young plants are moved to the main field.
3
Growing in a flooded fieldThe plants grow in a field covered with water.
4
HarvestingThe ripe rice plants are cut.

Phase 2 – Processing and packing (Stages 5–8)

5
ThreshingThe grains are separated from the stalks.
6
DryingThe grains are dried in the sun.
7
MillingThe husks and bran are removed in a mill.
8
PackingThe white rice is packed into bags for sale.

The diagram does not label the phases. This lesson divides the process into work in the field (stages 1–4) and processing the harvested rice (stages 5–8).

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 Sowing seeds	Sequencer + S + are + V3 + in + adj + N	The process commences when + S + are + V3 + in + N, where + they + develop into + adj + N
2 Transplanting	Sequencer + after about + time + adj + N + are + V3 + to + adj-er + N	Approximately + time + later + these + N + are + precise V3 + into + adj + N
3 Growing in a flooded field	Sequencer + S + are + V3 + in + N, which + is + V3 + with + N + for about + time	Following this + S + is kept + V3 + with + N + for roughly + time, during which time + the plants + reach + N
4 Harvesting	Then + S + are + V3 + when + S + are + adj	Once + adj (reduced clause) + S + are + precise V3 + from + N, V-ing participle (summary)
5 Threshing	In the + phase + S + are + V3 + from + N + by + adj + N	Turning to the + phase + the + V3 + N + are + precise V3 + to + V + N + from + N
6 Drying	Sequencer + S + are + V3 + in + N	Subsequently + the + V3 + N + are + V3 + out + to dry + in + N
7 Milling	Sequencer + adj + N + are + V3 + to + N, where + N and N + are + V3	Following this + S + are + V3 + in + N, in which + the + adj + N and N + are + V3 + away
8 Packing	Final sequencer + adj + N + is + V3 + into + N + and + V3	In the final stage + the + adj + N + is + V3 + into + N, ready to be + V3 + to + N

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, hạt lúa được gieo (planted) trong một luống mạ nhỏ.

Hiện tại đơn BỊ ĐỘNG: are planted

2

Tiếp theo, sau khoảng ba đến bốn tuần, cây non được chuyển (moved) sang một cánh đồng lớn hơn.

Hiện tại đơn bị động: are moved

3

Sau đó, lúa được trồng trên một cánh đồng ngập (covered) nước trong khoảng ba tháng.

Hiện tại đơn bị động + mệnh đề which (bị động)

4

Sau đó, cây lúa được cắt (cut) khi chúng đã chín.

Hiện tại đơn bị động + mệnh đề when

5

Ở giai đoạn thứ hai, hạt lúa được tách (separated) khỏi thân cây bằng máy tuốt lúa.

Hiện tại đơn bị động: are separated

6

Sau đó, hạt lúa được phơi khô (dried) dưới nắng.

Hiện tại đơn bị động: are dried

7

Tiếp theo, hạt khô được đưa đến nhà máy xay, nơi vỏ trấu (husks) và cám được loại bỏ.

Hiện tại đơn bị động + mệnh đề where (bị động)

8

Cuối cùng, gạo trắng được đóng (packed) vào bao và bán ra.

Hiện tại đơn bị động: is packed and sold

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.

, rice seeds are planted in a nursery bed.
The seeds are sown in a nursery bed, they grow into seedlings.
The seedlings are transplanted about three to four weeks.
The field is flooded for three months, which time the plants grow.
ripe, the rice is harvested.
the processing phase, the grains are separated from the stalks.
The plants are threshed separate the grains from the straw.
The grains are dried in the sun and taken to a mill.
In the mill, the husks are removed, leaves white rice.
, the rice is packed into bags for sale.

Part B – Translate with Linkers (10 sentences)

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

1

Quá trình bắt đầu bằng (begins with) việc gieo hạt lúa.

Hiện tại đơn chủ động · begins with + the + N + of + N

The process begins with the sowing of rice seeds.

2

Hạt được gieo trên luống mạ, nơi mà (where) chúng mọc thành cây non.

Hiện tại đơn bị động + mệnh đề where

The seeds are sown in a nursery bed, where they grow into seedlings.

3

Sau khoảng ba tuần (After about three weeks), cây mạ được cấy ra ruộng.

Hiện tại đơn bị động

After about three weeks, the seedlings are transplanted into the field.

4

Ruộng được giữ ngập nước, trong thời gian đó (during which time) lúa lớn lên.

Hiện tại đơn bị động + during which time

The field is kept flooded, during which time the rice grows.

5

Một khi (Once) đã chín, lúa được thu hoạch.

Once + adj + Hiện tại đơn bị động

Once ripe, the rice is harvested.

6

Chuyển sang (Turning to) giai đoạn chế biến, lúa được tuốt.

Hiện tại đơn bị động

Turning to the processing phase, the rice is threshed.

7

Tiếp theo đó (Following this), hạt lúa được phơi khô dưới nắng.

Hiện tại đơn bị động

Following this, the grains are dried in the sun.

8

Vỏ trấu được bóc đi, điều này (which) để lại gạo trắng.

Hiện tại đơn bị động + mệnh đề which

The husks are removed, which leaves white rice.

9

Ở giai đoạn cuối (In the final stage), gạo được đóng vào bao.

Hiện tại đơn bị động

In the final stage, the rice is packed into bags.

10

Quá trình kết thúc bằng (ends with) việc gạo được bán cho người tiêu dùng.

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

The process ends with the rice being sold to consumers.

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 stages in the production of rice	the steps in producing rice	how rice is produced	the successive stages involved in rice production
from planting the seeds	from planting the seeds	from the time the seeds are planted	from the sowing of seeds
to packing the rice for sale	to packing the rice for sale	until it is put into bags to be sold	to the packaging of the finished product for sale

Tip: “rice” must be kept. Turn the verbs into nouns for Band 7 (planting → the sowing of; packing → the packaging of).

Sample Introductions

Sample 1 – Band 6.0

The diagram illustrates how rice is produced, from the time the seeds are planted until it is put into bags to be sold.

Band 6 features: a common reporting verb (illustrates), a how + passive clause and two time clauses (from the time …, until …).

Sample 2 – Band 7.0

The given diagram depicts the successive stages involved in rice production, from the sowing of seeds to the packaging of the finished product for sale.

Band 7 features: precise verb (depicts), a compound noun (rice production) and nominalisation (the sowing of seeds, the packaging of the finished product).

Template for students

The diagram shows / illustrates how rice is produced / the stages in rice production, from the planting / sowing of seeds to the packing of the rice for sale.

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 “3–4 weeks”, “3 months”, “straw” or “husks and bran”).

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 eight steps in this process. It starts with planting rice seeds and finishes with putting the rice into bags.

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 eight stages in the process, which can be divided into two main phases: growing rice in the field and processing it. The process begins with rice seeds being planted and ends with the rice being packed into bags for sale.

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 process comprises eight distinct stages, which fall into two main phases – cultivation in the field and post-harvest processing – commencing with the sowing of rice seeds and culminating in the packaging of milled rice for sale.

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 1–4 → Body 2: Stages 5–8. Your writing is saved automatically on this device.

Paragraph	From	To	Content	Suggested words
Introduction	–	–	Paraphrase the task	20–35
Overview	Stage 1	Stage 8	Number of stages, 2 phases, start → end	30–40
Body 1	1. Sowing seeds	4. Harvesting	Growing rice in the field: Sowing seeds → Transplanting → Growing in a flooded field → Harvesting	60–80
Body 2	5. Threshing	8. Packing	Processing and packing: Threshing → Drying → Milling → Packing	50–70

A · Introduction

Exercise 1 – Match the paraphrase

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

shows →
the production of rice →
planting the seeds →
packing →
below →

Exercise 2 – Complete the Introduction

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

The diagram the successive stages in rice production, from the of seeds to the of the finished product for sale.

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 process, which can be into two main : growing rice in the and processing it. The process with rice seeds being planted and with the rice being packed into bags for sale.

Exercise 5 – Choose the best Overview

Which sentence is a good Band 6.0+ overview?

A. Overall, the young plants are moved after three to four weeks and grow in water for three months.B. Overall, the process has eight stages in two phases, from planting rice seeds to packing the rice for sale.C. Overall, rice is the most important food in Asia.

Why? A gives times – these belong in the Body. C is an opinion and adds information that is not in the diagram. B gives the number of stages, the two phases, and the start and end.

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 4

Exercise 7 – Passive verbs

Write the correct passive form (V3) of the verb in brackets.

First, rice seeds (plant) in a small nursery bed.
After three to four weeks, the young plants (move) to a larger field.
The field (cover) with water.
The plants (grow) there for about three months.
Then, the rice plants (cut).

Exercise 8 – Check the details in the diagram

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

The seeds are first planted in a bed.
The young plants are moved after about three to weeks.
The field is covered with .
The plants grow in the field for about months.

Exercise 9 – Write Body 1 (Stages 1 → 4)

Start with “In the first phase, … / The process commences when …”. Use different linkers and include the key details.

Words: 0 (target 60–80)

I covered stages 1–4 in order: sowing, transplanting, growing, harvesting.
I used the passive for every stage.
I included “three to four weeks”, “three months” and the water.
I used at least one complex sentence (where / which / during which time).

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

D · Body 2 – from Stage 5 to Stage 8

Exercise 10 – Put the sentences in order

Choose 1–4 for each sentence.

After that, the grains are dried in the sun.

Next, the dry grains are taken to a mill, where the husks and bran are removed.

Finally, the white rice is packed into bags and sold.

In the second phase, the grains are separated from the stalks by a threshing machine.

Exercise 11 – Choose the correct linker

Pick the word or phrase that fits each gap.

, the plants to separate the grains.
The grains are processed in a mill, the husks are stripped away.
, the rice is packed into bags, to be sold.

Exercise 12 – Write Body 2 (Stages 5 → 8)

Start with “In the second phase, … / Turning to the processing phase, …”.

Words: 0 (target 50–70)

I covered stages 5–8: threshing, drying, milling, packing.
I mentioned what is removed: straw, husks and bran.
I ended with the output: rice packed for sale.

🔒 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:

Rice Production: From Field to Table

The Task

1How many stages? Name them.

Phase 1 – Growing rice in the field (Stages 1–4)

Phase 2 – Processing and packing (Stages 5–8)

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 4

Exercise 7 – Passive verbs

Exercise 8 – Check the details in the diagram

Exercise 9 – Write Body 1 (Stages 1 → 4)

D · Body 2 – from Stage 5 to Stage 8

Exercise 10 – Put the sentences in order

Exercise 11 – Choose the correct linker

Exercise 12 – Write Body 2 (Stages 5 → 8)

E · Put it all together

Exercise 13 – Your full essay

Model Answers – Band 6.0 & Band 7.0