Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-10

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)

This process diagram explains how a biofuel called ethanol is produced. It comprises seven steps, with main stages including harvesting, processing, and lastly ethanol production.

The first step is the plantation of trees, which require sunlight and carbon dioxide to grow. Next, the trees are harvested and go through the step of pre-processing to separate different materials from the harvested trees. At the 4th stage, cellulose is formed as a result of pre-processing.

After this step, all the cellulose undergoes different chemical processing. Next, when all the processing is done, sugar particles are produced. Those particles lead to the formation of microbes. At the seventh stage, the microbes result in the production of ethanol, which is considered a source of biofuel for many transportation mediums like cars, trucks, aeroplanes, etc. However, when these vehicles burn the fuel, it results in the formation of carbon dioxide gas. This gas is emitted back into the environment and helps in the growth of trees and plants.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production process, from the initial growth of trees to the final use of fuel. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the cyclical nature of the process. While the stages are identified, the response could be improved by highlighting the key transformation points more effectively. The inclusion of external information about transportation mediums is acceptable, but the focus should remain strictly on the provided diagram. Overall, the response addresses the requirements of the task adequately, providing a clear summary of the process flow.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the beginning to the end of the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction from the body stages. Cohesive devices such as 'The first step', 'Next', and 'After this step' are used to guide the reader through the sequence. However, some transitions feel slightly repetitive or mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, and the information flows in a way that is easy to follow, meeting the criteria for a well-structured response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task, with accurate use of technical terms like 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'biofuel'. There is an attempt to use a range of vocabulary, though some phrasing is quite simple, such as 'different chemical processing' or 'transportation mediums'. The word choice is generally precise enough to convey the intended meaning without ambiguity. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more sophisticated collocations and varied terminology to describe industrial processes, moving beyond basic descriptive language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and errors are rare and do not impede communication. For instance, the use of relative clauses ('which require sunlight...') and passive voice ('is produced', 'are harvested') is handled correctly. Punctuation is generally sound. While the range of structures is adequate, the writing could benefit from more varied sentence beginnings and more complex syntactic patterns to demonstrate greater control over grammatical resources.

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

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