Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-30

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 6.5)

The illustration depicts how ethanol is manufactured.

The 9-step cycle begins with harvesting plants and ends with sugar, which is a major raw material for the ethanol production. This is achieved by reacting sugar and microbes. Microbes degrade sugar by releasing ethanol, which can be used as fuel by the vehicle.

The process starts with the plantation of plants and trees, which are then harvested by machinery. They are then transported for preprocessing, from which cellulose is obtained. Cellulose itself is a polysaccharide carbohydrate. It is transported to the industry and refined into simple sugars.

At step 6, sugar is obtained, to which yeast is added, where fermentation occurs. Microorganisms added in the sugary solution break the complex carbohydrate into simple ethanol, which is used as fuel by the vehicles. Furthermore, carbon dioxide is emitted by the vehicles after the combustion of ethanol. Carbon dioxide is again used by the plants for photosynthesis and cycle continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but it lacks a clear overview of the cycle. While you mention the steps, you do not highlight the cyclical nature or the key transformation points effectively. The description of the process is somewhat repetitive, particularly regarding the use of ethanol as fuel. To improve, ensure you provide a concise summary of the overall process in the introduction or conclusion, and focus on reporting the key features rather than listing every step in a narrative style. The inclusion of the carbon dioxide cycle is a good observation, but it should be integrated more smoothly into the summary of the production process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is generally coherent, with a logical progression from the initial harvesting to the final combustion and recycling of carbon dioxide. Paragraphing is used, though the second paragraph is quite long and could be split to better separate the preprocessing stage from the fermentation stage. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore' and 'which' are used, but the flow is occasionally mechanical. To reach a higher band, try to vary your linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus. The referencing of 'the cycle' is helpful, but the transition between the industrial process and the environmental impact could be more fluid.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'polysaccharide carbohydrate', 'fermentation', and 'combustion'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'plantation of plants' is redundant; 'cultivation of crops' would be more precise. Similarly, 'industry' is used in a general sense where 'industrial facility' or 'processing plant' would be more appropriate. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. Focus on using more academic collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'the cycle continues' (missing an article) and 'microorganisms added in the sugary solution' (which is slightly awkward). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. You have attempted complex sentences using relative clauses, which is good, but ensure that subject-verb agreement and article usage are consistent. Focusing on proofreading for minor errors in articles and prepositions will help improve your accuracy.

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