© Paul Smit 2006-2020
How people make matches: Example answers
Compare the original text with the example answers:
Original: How people make matches.
Loggers cut down trees. They cut off all the branches and they leave logs. They haul the tree trunks to a wood mill on trucks. Workers at the wood mill process the logs into timber (they cut the logs into smaller pieces). Truck drivers transport the timber to a match factory. People at the match factory unload the wood and put it into a machine. The machine cuts the wood into very small pieces. Workers put the matchsticks into a machine which contains a chemical mix. The machine applies a small amount of this chemical to one end of each matchstick. This makes the head of the match.
Example 1: How matches are made
First, trees are cut down and then the branches are cut off, leaving logs. Next, the tree trunks are hauled to a wood mill on trucks where they are processed into timber, being cut into smaller pieces which are transported to a match factory. After this, the wood is unloaded at the match factory and is put into a machine. Then, the wood is cut into very small pieces by the machine. Following that, the matchsticks are put into a machine containing a chemical mix. Finally, the machine applies a small amount of this chemical to one end of each matchstick, making the head of the match.
Original: How people make matches.
Loggers cut down trees. They cut off all the branches and they leave logs. They haul the tree trunks to a wood mill on trucks. Workers at the wood mill process the logs into timber (they cut the logs into smaller pieces). Truck drivers transport the timber to a match factory. People at the match factory unload the wood and put it into a machine. The machine cuts the wood into very small pieces. Workers put the matchsticks into a machine which contains a chemical mix. The machine applies a small amount of this chemical to one end of each matchstick. This makes the head of the match.
Example 2: How matches are made
Firstly, trees are cut down, and after that the branches are cut off, leaving logs. Subsequently, the tree trunks are hauled to a wood mill on trucks. Then, the trunks are processed into timber and cut into small pieces, which are transported to a factory. After that, the timber is unloaded and put into a machine which cuts the wood into very small pieces. Finally, the matchsticks are put into a machine that applies a small amount of a chemical mix to one end of each matchstick, creating the head of the match.
Features of this text type (describing manufacturing processes)
- Use of the Passive Voice (The use of the Passive Voice removes subjects that are too obvious to need mentioning, making the text less repetitive. This puts the focus on the process, rather than who does it).
- Present simple is used (this happens every day).*
- Use of sequencing words such as firstly, following this. This connects the text and makes it easier to read.
Note that the use of the verb -ing form (e.g. leaving logs, creating the head of the match) also links ideas. Using this form also shows an understanding of a greater variety of grammatical forms, which will help earn a higher score in English exams such as TOEFL or IELTS.
* The present simple is used to describe manufacturing processes used today. To describe a manufacturing process which is no longer used (e.g. How wagon wheels were made), the past tense would be used.
© Paul Smit 2006-2020