Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-27

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 how a biofuel named ethanol is produced.

Plants and trees are grown, harvested and processed to abstract cellulose, which is further processed to attain sugar. Adding microbes to the sugar creates ethanol which is used by transportation vehicles. The carbon dioxide emitted from them is then returned to the environment.

Initially trees and plants grow using sunlight and carbon dioxide in the air. They are then harvested by farmers and undergo a pre-process where cellulose is separated from them. The cellulose is returned to the factories where it goes through further procedures before we finally acquire sugars.

Some microbes are then added to the sugar which eventually produces a biofuel called ethanol. The ethanol in various modes of transportation such as cars, trucks and airplanes. The carbon dioxide emitted from these vehicles is returned back to the environment, which is used to grow more plants and trees and hence, the cycle continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the ethanol production cycle. You have clearly outlined the process from the growth of plants to the final consumption and recycling of carbon dioxide. The overview is accurate, and the key features are highlighted. To reach a higher band, ensure that the connection between the stages is more explicitly linked to the visual data provided. For instance, you could have elaborated slightly more on the specific inputs or outputs mentioned in the diagram to ensure a more comprehensive summary. Overall, you have addressed all parts of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the initial growth phase to the final usage and recycling stage. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the process. You have used some cohesive devices, such as 'initially', 'then', and 'hence', which help the reader follow the sequence of events. To improve, try to vary your linking words further and ensure that referencing is precise. For example, in the third paragraph, the sentence 'The ethanol in various modes of transportation' is missing a verb, which slightly disrupts the flow of the description.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'harvested', 'processed', 'cellulose', and 'emitted'. The terminology is generally accurate and appropriate for a technical process description. However, there are some minor word choice issues, such as using 'abstract' instead of 'extract' and 'attain' instead of 'obtain' or 'produce'. These do not impede communication, but they do limit the precision of your writing. Expanding your range of process-related verbs and using more precise collocations would help elevate your score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most of your sentences are clear and easy to follow. However, there are some grammatical slips, such as the sentence 'The ethanol in various modes of transportation such as cars, trucks and airplanes', which lacks a main verb. Additionally, 'returned back' is slightly redundant as 'back' is implied by 'returned'. While these errors do not significantly impede meaning, they prevent the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for missing verbs and redundant phrasing will improve your accuracy.

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

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