Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-21

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 7.0)

The diagram illustrates the process of producing ethanol biofuel from plants and trees.

Overall, ethanol production is a cyclical process that begins with the growth of plants and trees and ends with the use of ethanol as a fuel. Carbon dioxide released during production and consumption is reused by plants as they grow.

Initially, plants and trees grow by using energy from sunlight and absorbing carbon dioxide. Once they have grown sufficiently, they are harvested and sent for pre-processing. The material is then converted into cellulose, which goes through further processing to produce sugars.

In the next stage, microbes are added to the sugars, resulting in the production of ethanol. The finished biofuel can then be used as an energy source for several forms of transport, including cars, trucks and aircraft. When ethanol is burned by these vehicles, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide is subsequently absorbed by growing plants and trees, completing the cycle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively summarizes the ethanol production process. You have successfully identified the main features, including the cyclical nature of the process and the key stages from growth to consumption. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the entire cycle. You have covered all parts of the task well, and the information is logically presented. To reach a higher band, you could aim to incorporate more specific technical details from the diagram, such as the mention of 'fermentation' or specific inputs/outputs if they were present, to demonstrate a more comprehensive analysis of the provided visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is well-organized with a clear logical progression. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the introduction, the overview, and the sequential stages of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Once', 'In the next stage', and 'subsequently' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the cycle. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between the stages is clearly established. The use of referencing is accurate, ensuring that the cyclical nature of the process is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process accurately. Terms such as 'cyclical process', 'pre-processing', 'cellulose', and 'subsequently' demonstrate a good level of control. The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic report. While the range is adequate, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or topic-specific terminology could elevate the response further. There are no spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication, and the language used is natural and fits the context of a process description well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as 'Once they have grown sufficiently, they are harvested...' and 'When ethanol is burned by these vehicles, carbon dioxide is released...'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar and punctuation is strong. You have used passive voice appropriately for a process description, which is a key requirement for this task type. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the writing is clear and easy to read throughout.

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

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