Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-27

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

 

The diagram below shows how a biofuel called ethanol is produced.

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

Student answer (Band 7.5)

The diagram illustrates how ethanol is produced from plants and how carbon dioxide is recycled in the process.

Overall, it can be seen that biofuel production is a difficult process that begins with plants and trees growing and ends with the use of ethanol as fuel.

At the first stage, plants and trees grow by using energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide. Then, the plants are harvested and sent for pre-processing. After that, the material is broken down into cellulose.

In the next stage, the cellulose is processed into sugars. Microbes are added to these sugars to produce ethanol. The final product, ethanol is used as a fuel for vehicles such as cars, trucks and planes.

When ethanol is burned, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide is then reused by plants.

In conclusion, ethanol production is a circular process involving plant growth, chemical process, and fuel usage.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response covers all stages of the ethanol production process as depicted in the diagram. You have successfully identified the main features, including the growth of plants, the chemical conversion process, and the circular nature of carbon dioxide recycling. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the entire cycle. To reach a higher band, ensure that you provide more detail on the specific inputs and outputs at each stage, such as mentioning the specific chemical breakdown or the role of energy, rather than just listing the steps sequentially. Overall, the response is accurate and addresses the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process, and a concluding summary. You have used cohesive devices such as 'At the first stage', 'Then', 'After that', and 'In the next stage' to guide the reader through the process. The paragraphing is appropriate, separating the production steps from the environmental impact. The flow of information is smooth, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. To improve, you could vary your cohesive devices slightly more to avoid a repetitive structure at the start of each sentence.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including terms like 'biofuel', 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'atmosphere'. The word choice is generally precise and appropriate for an academic report. There are no significant spelling errors. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'fermentation', 'conversion', or 'by-product', which would demonstrate a more flexible and precise control of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly. You have successfully used passive voice constructions, which are appropriate for describing a process (e.g., 'plants are harvested', 'carbon dioxide is released'). There are no major grammatical errors that impede communication. To improve, you could experiment with more complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or participle phrases to combine information, which would enhance the overall sophistication of your writing.

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