Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-06

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 process of ethanol production, a type of biofuel, and shows how it forms a continuous cycle.

Overall, ethanol is made from plant and tress in a renewable process that involves growth, harvesting, and processing. The fuel is then used by various forms of transport, which release carbon dioxide that is reabsorbed by new plant growth to start the cycle again.

The process begin with plant and trees absorbing sunlight and carbon dioxide for their growth. When matured, the plants and trees and then harvested carefully using a machinery. Further more, it undergoes pre-processing which produces cellulose. The cellulose is then carried to the laboratory for processing and its end product is sugar.

However, microbes are then added to the sugar to cause fermentation which forms the production of ethanol. Ethanol is then distributed to transport companies to be used as fuel for cars, trucks and air planes, when they burn the fuel, carbon dioxide is therefore released into the air in which new plants and trees reabsorb again, and so the cycle continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the ethanol production cycle. You have clearly outlined the stages from growth and harvesting to processing, fermentation, and final usage. The overview provides a good summary of the renewable nature of the process. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the key inputs and outputs at each stage, such as the specific role of sunlight and carbon dioxide, and ensure the distinction between the biological and industrial phases is clearly articulated. The description is accurate and covers all parts of the diagram effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, moving from an introduction to the process stages. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'The process begins', 'Further more', and 'However' helps guide the reader through the sequence. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be smoother. For example, 'Further more' should be written as one word ('Furthermore'). The progression of ideas is generally clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for a process description task.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including terms like 'renewable', 'cellulose', 'fermentation', and 'reabsorbed'. There are some minor errors in word choice and form, such as 'plant and tress' (should be 'plants and trees') and 'using a machinery' (machinery is uncountable). While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, incorporating more precise collocations or varied synonyms for 'process' or 'production' would elevate the response. The errors present do not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement ('The process begin' instead of 'begins') and article usage ('a machinery'). Additionally, some sentences are slightly run-on or awkward, such as the final sentence in the third paragraph. While you demonstrate an attempt at complex structures, the frequency of minor errors prevents a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and pluralization will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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