Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-31

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 map illustrates the biofuel production and shows how ethanol is made

Overall, it is cyclical process, beginning with the growth of plants and trees, and ending with release of carbon dioxide gas in the

atmosphere.

Initially, plants and trees grow with the absorption of energy such as sunlight and carbon dioxide. Afterwards, it is harvested by a farmer, and transported to a pre-processing stage, where plants and trees are crushed and transformed into cellulose. Once this stage has been completed, it is passed through a processing stage, where different chemicals are used to convert it into sugars.

In the next stage, microbes are added to sugars, which is then converted to form ethanol. Once the ethanol is made, it is used as a fuel in a different transports like, aeroplanes, trucks, and cars, but it releases carbon dioxide in the environment, which is again absorbed by plants and trees.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the biofuel production process. You have clearly outlined the cyclical nature of the diagram, moving from plant growth to the final release of carbon dioxide. The key stages—harvesting, pre-processing, chemical conversion, and ethanol production—are all addressed. To reach a higher band, ensure you make more explicit comparisons or highlight the specific inputs and outputs at each stage more precisely. For example, noting that the process is entirely dependent on solar energy and atmospheric CO2 adds depth to the summary. Overall, the response is accurate and covers the requirements of the task well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and sequential body paragraphs that follow the process flow. You have used cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Afterwards', 'Once this stage has been completed', and 'In the next stage' to guide the reader through the steps. The paragraphing is appropriate, separating the overview from the detailed process description. To improve, try to vary your cohesive devices further to avoid a slightly mechanical feel, and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'it') is always unambiguous, as in the second paragraph where 'it' could refer to either the plants or the cellulose.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including terms like 'cyclical', 'absorption', 'harvested', and 'cellulose'. The language is generally precise and appropriate for a technical description. However, there are minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'different transports' (should be 'modes of transport') and 'in the atmosphere' (should be 'into the atmosphere'). To improve, focus on using more sophisticated collocations and ensuring prepositions are used accurately to enhance the professional tone of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response shows a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally clear, there are some errors that slightly affect the flow. For instance, 'it is cyclical process' is missing an article ('a'), and 'different transports like, aeroplanes' contains an unnecessary comma and an awkward phrasing. Additionally, 'which is then converted' has a subject-verb agreement issue, as 'sugars' is plural. To achieve a higher band, aim for more error-free complex sentences and ensure consistent control over articles and pluralization.

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

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