Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-17

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 displays a cyclical process of ethanol production which is a biofuel.

Overall, the biofuel production system has multiple stages. It includes both natural and industrial steps, starting with planting trees and harvesting them to fermentation using microbes to turn it into ethanol. This is then used as a fuel in various transports that releases carbon dioxide back into the environment, restarting the whole process.

First of all, trees are planted and grown using natural energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. When trees are matured, they are harvested and cut into pieces to generate cellulose. The next stage is performed in industrial facilities.

In the following stages, the cellulose is processed into sugars which is the key stage where ethanol is produced. Here the sugars are broken down into pieces using microbes through fermentation and thus ethanol is created. This is then used as fuel for a different range of vehical such as cars, trucks and airplanes. When the ethanol is burnt in these transports, they produce carbon dioxide which cycles back to the nature to give energy to trees, starting the biofuel process all over again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all stages of the ethanol production process, from the initial planting of trees to the final combustion in vehicles. You have clearly identified the cyclical nature of the process, which is a key feature of the diagram. The overview is concise and effectively captures the main trend. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the specific inputs and outputs at each stage, such as the role of 'cellulose' and 'sugars' more precisely in relation to the industrial facility. Overall, the information is accurate and well-selected, providing a clear summary of the provided visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological flow of the process. You have used cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'The next stage', and 'In the following stages' to guide the reader through the sequence. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the natural and industrial phases. To improve further, try to vary your cohesive devices slightly more to avoid a mechanical feel, and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'This') consistently points back to a clear noun phrase to maintain smooth flow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including terms like 'cyclical', 'fermentation', 'microbes', and 'cellulose'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, which is appropriate for this task. However, there are minor errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'vehical' (vehicle) and the phrasing 'cycles back to the nature' (should be 'cycles back to nature'). While these errors do not impede communication, correcting them would demonstrate a more precise control over your lexical choices.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have successfully used passive voice constructions, which are appropriate for describing a process (e.g., 'trees are planted', 'ethanol is produced'). There are some grammatical slips, such as 'sugars which is the key stage' (subject-verb agreement error) and 'a different range of vehical' (pluralization error). Despite these occasional errors, the meaning remains clear throughout, and the sentence structures are generally well-controlled. Increasing the variety of complex structures would help elevate your score in this criterion.

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

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