Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-02

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 circular diagram represents the process of how a biofuel, ethanol is produced and consumed.

Initially, the first phase of production starts after trees and plants grown, through the consumption of energy sources, sun and carbon dioxide are harvested. The harvest is carried out, using manually operated tractors. Moreover, this leads to the start of pre-processing, which results in the production of cellulose. Thus, the second phase of production begins, and sugars is formed as a product. Therefore, microbes are added to the sugar, and this results in the formation of ethanol as a finished product. The biofuel is consumed as an energy source in transportation, mostly by aircrafts, trucks and cars. As a result, these vehicles produce carbon dioxide and the cycle continues. However, the pre-processing of the harvest is essential, in order to produce cellulose. Cellulose is further processed into ethanol as the final product, after going through different stages of production.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production cycle, from harvesting to consumption. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks a clear overview or summary of the process as a whole. While the key features are identified, the explanation of the 'pre-processing' stage is slightly confusing, and the connection between the stages could be more clearly delineated to show the cyclical nature of the process. To improve, ensure you provide a clear introductory summary of the entire process and avoid repeating information, such as the mention of cellulose, which appears twice in a way that does not add new information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is organized into a single paragraph, which makes it difficult to follow the progression of the process. Using separate paragraphs for the production phase and the consumption/cycle phase would have significantly improved the logical flow. While some cohesive devices are used, such as 'Initially', 'Moreover', and 'Therefore', they are sometimes used mechanically or to connect ideas that are already repetitive. The referencing is generally clear, but the overall structure lacks the sophisticated paragraphing expected at higher bands.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'biofuel', 'cellulose', and 'microbes' used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic verbs and structures. Some word choices are slightly awkward, such as 'trees and plants grown' (which should be 'trees and plants are grown') and 'mostly by aircrafts' (the plural of aircraft is 'aircraft'). Expanding your range to include more precise process-related verbs would enhance the quality of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('sugars is formed') and awkward phrasing ('trees and plants grown'). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure is occasionally clunky. To reach a higher band, focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and refining the use of passive voice, which is essential for describing technical processes. The majority of the sentences are understandable, but the errors are frequent enough to prevent a higher score.

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