Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-15

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 given diagram illustrates the procedure that is followed to produce biofuel (ethanol) from the sunlight and carbon dioxide.

Overall, the circular process consists of several stages, starting with the planting of trees and culminating in the chemical processing into ethanol that is later used for transportation.

In the initial stage, tree plants are growing for energy. Once the plants have matured, they are harvested by a tractor. The harvested products will undergo a pre-processing process, which break them into small cellulose by crushing. Following this, the cellulose goes for chemical processing to produce different sugar cells.

After the physical and chemical treatment steps, these sugar cells are added to microbes to convert into ethanol, which is ultimately used as a fuel to power vehicles such as cars, trucks, and planes. These vehicles burn up the ethanol, releasing carbon dioxide as waste into the atmosphere. The trees and plants, in turn, consume this as their food, and the cycle restarts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the process, including the cyclical nature of ethanol production. You have clearly outlined the stages from planting to consumption and the subsequent release of carbon dioxide. The overview is concise and accurately captures the essence of the diagram. To reach a higher band, ensure that all technical details are described with precision; for instance, the term 'sugar cells' is slightly inaccurate in a biological context, as the diagram refers to 'sugar'. Overall, the task is well-addressed with a clear logical progression.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a logical flow. You have used cohesive devices such as 'In the initial stage', 'Following this', and 'After the physical and chemical treatment steps' effectively to guide the reader through the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the cycle. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between the stages is clearly established. The use of referencing is consistent, making the text easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'matured', 'cellulose', 'crushing', and 'microbes'. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'tree plants are growing for energy' (which is slightly unnatural) and 'sugar cells' (the diagram indicates 'sugar'). However, these do not impede communication. To improve, try to incorporate more precise technical collocations related to industrial processes to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and your control of grammar is generally strong. There are a few minor slips, such as 'tree plants are growing' (should be 'are grown') and 'which break them' (should be 'which breaks them' to agree with the singular 'process'). These are minor errors that do not affect the clarity of the report. The punctuation is accurate throughout the text.

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

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