Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-20

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 7.5)

The diagram illustrates the various stages involved in the production of ethanol, a type of biofuel, beginning from the cultivation of plants and trees.

Overall, the ethanol production process encompasses several key steps, including growth, harvesting, processing, fermentation, and transportation, with carbon dioxide emissions occurring at various phases.

Initially, the process starts with the growth of plants and trees, which utilize sunlight and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Once matured, these biomass sources are harvested, and in this stage, carbon dioxide is released. Following harvesting, the plants undergo a pre-processing phase where they are converted into cellulose and sugars. This transformation lays the groundwork for the subsequent fermentation process, which is crucial for ethanol production.

In the fermentation stage, microbes are introduced to the sugars derived from the biomass. These microorganisms facilitate the conversion of sugars into ethanol through a fermentation reaction. After the production of ethanol, the final product is transported to various locations for distribution. It is noteworthy that carbon dioxide emissions occur throughout the transportation process, indicating an environmental impact associated with each stage of the ethanol production cycle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively covers all stages of the ethanol production process, from cultivation to distribution. You have successfully identified the main features and included relevant comparisons, such as the mention of carbon dioxide emissions at various stages. The overview provides a clear summary of the process. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the cyclical nature of the process if the diagram implies it, and perhaps provide more specific detail on the inputs and outputs shown in the diagram, such as the role of sunlight or the specific conversion of cellulose into sugars, to ensure the description is fully comprehensive.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Following', 'In the fermentation stage', and 'After the production' are used effectively to guide the reader through the stages. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different phases of production. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a process description, such as 'cultivation', 'biomass', 'fermentation', and 'microorganisms'. The language is precise and fits the academic tone required for Task 1. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. To improve further, you could incorporate more sophisticated synonyms or collocations related to industrial processes, such as 'by-product' or 'facilitate the transformation', to show even greater flexibility and control over less common lexical items.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response uses a variety of complex sentence structures, such as 'which utilize sunlight and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis' and 'These microorganisms facilitate the conversion of sugars into ethanol through a fermentation reaction.' The grammar is highly accurate, with almost no errors. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over complex structures is consistent. This level of accuracy and range is indicative of a high-scoring response.

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