IELTS Writing Task 1 Essay: The Life Cycle of a Frog

Introduction

The Writing module of IELTS is divided into two parts – Task 1 and Task 2. Task 2 is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General, and requires the candidate to write an essay.

On the other hand, Task 1 is different for the two types of exam. While for IELTS Academic, it is report writing based on graphs, charts, tables, diagrams and maps, for IELTS General, it is letter-writing.

Here, we have provided a sample answer with a report plan for the writing task 1 question – the life cycle of frogs. In your IELTS Writing Task 1 essay, you should:

• Describe the different stages of the frog’s life cycle in chronological order.
• Explain how the frog changes at each stage.
• Use clear and concise language.
• Support your claims with evidence from the diagram or other sources.

A sample answer for a Writing Task 2 essay is important because it can help you understand the requirements of the task, learn how to organize your essay, improve your writing skills and get an idea of the expected level of performance and band score.

Before going through the sample answer to learn the way the answer for the life cycle of a frog is written, check out the Academic Writing Task 1 Tips, Strategies and Criteria to solve this type of question.

Question

Sample Answer 1

The diagram demonstrates how a frog evolves throughout its life cycle from egg to adult.

Overall, it is evident that the process is divided into six separate stages, initiating with the production of eggs in the water and culminating with the maturation of a frog.

The frogspawn-like eggs that float on the water’s surface represent the first stage. After the frogspawn hatches from the embryo, the little tadpole emerges as the next stage. The little tadpole has a long tail and a small body at this stage in its life cycle. Next, the tadpole develops over time, as shown in three small steps, lengthening its tail and increasing the size of its body. Then, to prepare the tadpole for its future existence on land, the legs start to form simultaneously.

The tadpole subsequently begins to transition into a baby frog with a broader mouth, a shorter tail, and larger legs, despite continuing to live in water. Gradually, the frog gains maturity until it is ready to leave the water and walk onto land. Steadily, the tadpole frog loses its tail when on the ground and begins to breathe air. In this way, the life cycle for this frog is complete. Eventually, the adult frog needs to locate a mate to lay eggs and the lifecycle will restart for another frog to be born.

Sample Answer 2

The diagram illustrates the progressive transformation of a frog from its initial stage as an egg to its mature adult form.

In summary, it’s clear that this process consists of six distinct phases, commencing with the laying of eggs in the water and concluding with the full development of a mature frog.

The first stage is represented by frogspawn-like eggs that float on the water’s surface. Once these eggs hatch, they give rise to small tadpoles in the subsequent stage. At this point in their life cycle, tadpoles possess elongated tails and diminutive bodies. Subsequently, the tadpoles undergo a series of three gradual changes, during which their tails lengthen, and their bodies grow larger. Simultaneously, the formation of legs commences, preparing the tadpoles for a future existence on land.

The tadpoles then progress into baby frogs, characterized by broader mouths, shorter tails, and more developed legs, all while still inhabiting the water. As time passes, these frogs mature until they are ready to leave the water and venture onto land. As they do so, their tails gradually disappear, and they begin to breathe air. In this manner, the life cycle of these frogs is completed. Eventually, the adult frogs seek out mates to lay eggs, and the life cycle begins anew, giving rise to another generation of frogs.

Vocabulary

Following are the vocabulary words found in the Sample Answer 1:

Demonstrates (verb)

• Meaning: shows clearly by one’s actions
• Example: She demonstrated her skills by playing a complex piece of music on the piano.

Evolves (verb)

• Meaning: develops gradually
• Example: The way we work has evolved over the years, with more and more people working remotely.

Overall (adjective)

• Meaning: considering all aspects or factors
• Example: The overall impact of the changes was positive.

Initiating (verb)

• Meaning: starting something
• Example: The government is initiating a new program to help young people find jobs.

Culminating (verb)

• Meaning: reaching a peak or climax
• Example: The conference culminated in a gala dinner.

Represent (verb)

• Meaning:to stand for or symbolize something
• Example: The red, white, and blue colors represent the American flag.

Simultaneously (adverb)

• Meaning: at the same time
• Example: The two events happened simultaneously.

Subsequently (adverb)

• Meaning: happening after something else
• Example: The company made a loss in the first quarter, but subsequently, it made a profit.

Gradually (adverb)

• Meaning: happening or changing slowly over a period of time
• Example: The temperature gradually increased throughout the day.

Steadily (adverb)

• Meaning: in a regular and consistent way
• Example: The company’s sales have been steadily increasing over the past few years.

Eventually (adverb)

• Meaning: after a long time
• Example: The team eventually won the game.

Evident (adjective):

• Meaning: Clearly seen or understood; obvious.
• Example: It was evident that she had put a lot of effort into her presentation.

Embryo (noun):

• Meaning: An early stage of development before birth or hatching.
• Example: The embryo of the idea soon grew into a fully-fledged project.

Mature (verb/adjective):

• Meaning (verb): To develop and reach a fully-grown or ripe state.
• Example: It takes several years for a fruit tree to mature and produce good fruit.

Venture (verb):

• Meaning: To dare to do something or go somewhere that may be dangerous or unpleasant.
• Example: They decided to venture into the dense forest to explore its mysteries.

Formation (noun):

• Meaning: The process of being formed or created.
• Example: The geologist studied the rock formations in the area to understand their origins.

Conclusion

To conclude, when approaching an IELTS Writing Task 1 process diagram essay, follow these key tips such as analyzing the diagram thoroughly, structuring your essay logically, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, using precise vocabulary and action verbs, maintaining a neutral tone and stick to the facts, including relevant data from the diagram, and concluding by summarizing the main points.

Useful Links:

• IELTS Writing Task 1 Process Diagram Tips, Vocabulary

• IELTS Writing tips

• IELTS Writing recent actual test

• IELTS Writing Answer sheet

• IELTS map vocabulary