Unit 3

Chocolate Production

Writing Skill 1

Processes in Making Chocolate

The diagram below shows the process of making chocolate. As students, we often see this
type of diagram. However, sometimes when asked to explain it, we find many difficulties.
How is the structure? What tense do I use? What kinds of language do I use? These questions
will be answered in this unit.

Figure 1: The process of making chocolate

Source: http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/task-1-process.html

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 Practice!
Look at the following sentences, identify and determine the verbs/tense.
1. The farmer collects the ripe red pods.
2. Then, the farmer takes the white cocoa beans.
3. The farmer ferments the beans on a tray.
From the tense used, what information does it provide?

Language Focus 2
There are two common ways to explain processes/steps and one of them has been given to you
above. Another way to explain processes/steps is to use the present passive.

Tense Active Passive

The farmer collects the ripe red The ripe red pods are
pods. collected by the farmer.
Simple Present
Then, the farmer takes the white Then, the white cocoa beans
cocoa beans. are taken by the farmer.
The farmer ferments the beans on a The beans are fermented on a
tray. tray by the farmer.

So, when do we use passive?

We use the passive voice when the subject of the sentence is the receiver of the action.

Examples Explanation
The ripe red pods are collected by the Passive verb -> a form of be + past
farmer. participle
Then, the white cocoa beans are taken by
the farmer.
The beans are fermented on a tray by the
farmer.
subject verb object Compare active and passive. The
object of the active sentence (the ripe
Active: The farmer collects the ripe red pods red pods) becomes the subject of the
passive sentence.

subject verb by agent If the agent of the action (the

person/thing that performs the action)
Passive: The ripe red pods are collected by … is mentioned, it follows by.

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However, in explaining a process is not simply just by making individual sentences. Therefore,
the process should be explained in a paragraph.

How to Write a Describing Process Paragraph 3

Example:
There are several steps in the process of making chocolate. To begin, the cocoa comes from
the cacao tree, which is grown in the South American and African continents and the country
of Indonesia. When the pods are ripe and red, they are harvested and the white cocoa beans
are removed. Following a period of fermentation, they are then laid out on a large tray so they
can dry under the sun.

Tips:
• The first thing you have to do is write the overview. An overview is a sentence
stating what the process is about while also stating general information
• Furthermore, in order for the reader to be able to understand your writing, you
need to pay attention to the cohesion. Cohesion is shown from how the writing
makes sense in terms of order and word choice.

The overview in the example is indicated with the highlight while the words that are underlined
and bolded are the linking words. These words are very important for explaining the logical
sequence of a process. Below are some other linking words that you can use.

ADDING SEQUENCING
and Firstly
also Initially
as well as To begin
moreover The first step
additionally
furthermore Secondly
Then
Next
Subsequently
Following this
After
Afterwards

Finally
Lastly
The last step

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Practice!

A. Now, let’s look back at the process of making chocolate and read the following
sample describing the process.

The Process of Making Chocolate

The diagram explains the process for the making of chocolate. There is a total of ten
stages in the process, beginning with the growing of the pods on the cacao trees and
culminating in the production of the chocolate.
To begin, the cocoa comes from the cacao tree, which is grown in the South American
and African continents and the country of Indonesia. Once the pods are ripe and red, they are
harvested and the white cocoa beans are taken. Following a period of fermentation, they are
then laid out on a large tray so they can dry under the sun. Next, they are placed into large
sacks and delivered to the factory. They are then roasted at a temperature of 350 degrees,
after which the beans are crushed and separated from their outer shell. In the final stage,
this inner part that is left is pressed and the chocolate is produced. (152 Words)

Analysis and Tips

• As can be seen in the bolded words, this type of writing mostly uses passive (simple
present passive).

• As highlighted, linking words are also a useful tool to connect each different stages of
the process so that it is easier to follow and understand.

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B. Writing Task: Explain the following process of manufacturing tea.

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 Other Passive Form 4
As shown in the previous examples, processes/steps are always explained with the present
tense whether it is in the active or passive forms. However, there are other forms of passive
that are important to understand as it is a fundamental grammatical structure in academic
writing. The following information will explain the other passive forms.

Tense Active Passive

Simple Future They will pick the best movie. The best movie will be picked.
They are going to pick the best The best movie is going to be
movie. picked.

Simple Past They announced the winner’s The winner’s name was
name. announced
Present Perfect They have chosen the best movie. The best movie has been
chosen.
Modal You can see the movie on DVD. The movie can be seen on DVD.

Language Notes:
1. Both the active voice and the passive voice can be used with different tenses and with
modals. The tense of the passive sentence is shown in the verb be. Use the past participle
with every tense.
2. If two verbs in the passive voice ae connected with and, do not repeat be.
The Oscar ceremony is televised and seen by millions of people.

Examples
Before 1941, the winners’ names were
already known before the ceremony
Today the winners are never announced
ahead of time.
Affirmative: The movie was filmed by the U.S.
Negative: It wasn’t filmed in Canada.
Yes/No Question: Was it filmed in Hollywood?
Short Answer: No, it wasn’t.
WH-Question: Where was it filmed?
Subject Question: Which movie was filmed in
Canada?
Active: She saw him
Passive: He was seen by her
Explanation
An adverb can be placed between the
auxiliary verb and the main verb.
Observe affirmative statements, negative
statements, and questions with the passive
voice. Never use do, does, or did with the
passive voice.
(Wrong: The movie didn’t filmed in
Canada)
Notice the difference in pronouns in an
active sentence and a passive sentence.
After by, the object pronoun is used.

Active: They helped us

Passive: We were helped by them

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However, not all active sentences can be changed into passive. You have to look at the verbs
and identify whether it is a transitive or intransitive verb.

Examples Explanation
Compare: Most active verbs are followed by an
verb object object. They can be used in the active and
passive voice. These verbs are called
Active: McCay created the first animated film transitive verbs.
Passive: The first animated film was created in
1914

verb object

Active: Walt Disney didn’t draw his cartoon

Passive: The movie was seen by the children

Active Only: Some verbs have no object. We cannot use

Disney lived in Hollywood most of his life. the passive voice with these verbs:
He became famous when he created Mickey agree die look seem
Mouse arrive fall occur sleep
He worked with many artists. be go rain stay
What happened to the first Mickey Mouse become happen recover walk
cartoon? I’d like to see it. come live remain work
These are called intransitive verbs.

Practice!
A. Read the following sentences. Decide if the underlined verb is active (A) or passive (P).
Examples: The actress received an Oscar. A
The actress was given an Oscar. P
1. The actress wore a beautiful gown.
2. Halle Berry presented an Oscar.
3. The director has been nominated many times.
4. Old movies were filmed in black and white.
5. Hollywood has become the movie capital of the U.S.
6. Hollywood was built at the beginning of the twentieth century.

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B. Direction: Change the active sentences
into passive.
1. Shakespeare wrote that play.
____________________________________
2. Bill will invite Ann to the party.
____________________________________
3. Waitresses and waiters serve customers.
____________________________________
4. Shirley has suggested a new idea.
____________________________________
5. Alice didn’t make that pie. Did Mrs.
French make it?
____________________________________
6. Does Prof. Jackson teach that course? I
know that Prof. Adams doesn’t teach it.
____________________________________
7. His tricks didn’t fool me.
____________________________________
8. He can watch the event through live
stream.
____________________________________
C. Direction: Change into passive if
possible. Some verbs are intransitive.
1. A strange thing happened yesterday.
____________________________________
2. Jackson scored the winning goal.
____________________________________
3. I agree with Dr. Ikeda’s theory.
____________________________________
4. Dr. Ikeda developed that theory.
____________________________________
5. Timmy dropped the cap.
____________________________________
6. The assistant manager interviewed me.
____________________________________
7. A hurricane destroyed the small fishing
village.
____________________________________
8. The cups fell to the floor.
____________________________________
9. Dinosaurs existed millions of years ago.
____________________________________
10. The solution to my problem appeared to
me in my dreams.
____________________________________
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