Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-05

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 diagram illustrates the step-by-step process of how a biofuel - ethanol is produced.

Overall, it can be observed that there are three primary stages in the production of ethanol. Beginning with the harvesting of well-grown plants and trees and ending with processing of cellulose to obtain sugar.

In the first stage, all plants and trees after receiving substantial energy from the environment (sunlight and carbon dioxide) are cut down by tractors. Next all trees are harvested to make them ready for the later stage pre-processing. In the following stage, all trees are put inside a machine which makes the output more refined to obtain cellulose.

In the consecutive step, all the cellulose is processed in the factories. After the chemical treatment, sugar is extracted from the cellulose as the main ingredient for further production. In addition, tiny living creatures called microbes are added to the sugars to obtain the desired product.

At last, ethanol is used by different vehicles as a biofuel. Subsequently, using ethanol leads to emission of carbon dioxide once again used as an energy source by plants and animals and further maintains the cycle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production process, from harvesting to the final use of the biofuel. You have successfully identified the key steps, such as harvesting, pre-processing, chemical treatment, and the addition of microbes. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks a more analytical approach to the 'comparison' aspect of the task. For instance, the explanation of the cycle (CO2 emission) is a bit descriptive rather than analytical. To reach a higher band, ensure that you highlight the most significant features and relationships between the stages more concisely, avoiding unnecessary filler phrases like 'tiny living creatures'.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. You use transition signals such as 'In the first stage', 'In the consecutive step', and 'At last' to guide the reader. While the progression is clear, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes a bit mechanical. For example, starting three consecutive sentences with 'all' ('all plants', 'all trees', 'all trees') creates a repetitive rhythm. Improving the variety of your linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the flow and coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'cellulose', 'chemical treatment', and 'biofuel' appropriately. However, the lexical range is somewhat limited, and there is a tendency to use simple descriptors. Phrases like 'well-grown plants' and 'tiny living creatures' are not the most precise or academic choices for a process description. To improve, try to incorporate more specific technical vocabulary related to industrial processes and avoid overly simplistic adjectives. Your spelling is accurate throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is generally effective. There are some minor grammatical issues, such as the phrasing 'the emission of carbon dioxide once again used', which is slightly awkward. Additionally, the use of articles is occasionally inconsistent (e.g., 'the later stage pre-processing' should be 'the later stage of pre-processing'). While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on more varied sentence structures and refining your control over prepositions and articles will help improve your score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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