Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-03

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 represents the process of ethanol production, i.e. a biofuel from plants and animals.

Overall, the ethanol production is a cyclic process that consists of several stages like harvesting plants, their industrial processing and their extraction. It also includes their emission of gases like carbon dioxide and how they are reused within the whole process.

It all starts from the plants and trees that absorb sunlight and CO2 as a source of energy for their growth. Once they get mature, they are harvested and undergo pre-processing. After obtaining cellulose from them, they undergo a lot of chemical processes for sugar extraction. Finally, after adding microbes, ethanol is obtained.

Finally, the ethanol is used as a fuel for vehicles such as cars, trucks and aircraft. The combustion of ethanol releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide is then used by growing plants, together with sunlight, to produce more plant material. The newly grown plants can therefore be harvested and processed again, completing the cycle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the ethanol production cycle. You have clearly outlined the process from plant growth through to combustion and the subsequent recycling of carbon dioxide. However, the overview is slightly inaccurate; you mention 'animals' in the introduction, which is not supported by the diagram, and the description of the industrial stage is a bit vague. To reach a higher band, ensure that every detail mentioned is explicitly present in the visual data and provide a more precise summary of the key features, such as the specific transformation from cellulose to sugar.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear progression from the initial growth phase to the final combustion and recycling stage. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the introduction, the production process, and the usage/cycle. Cohesive devices such as 'Once', 'After', 'Finally', and 'This carbon dioxide' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the sequence. The flow is generally smooth, though the transition between the industrial processing and the final usage could be slightly more refined to improve the overall cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, using terms like 'cellulose', 'microbes', 'combustion', and 'cyclic process'. While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, it lacks the sophistication required for higher bands. Some word choices are slightly repetitive or imprecise, such as 'a lot of chemical processes'. Incorporating more precise technical collocations related to industrial manufacturing would enhance the lexical quality and demonstrate a more flexible command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and error-free, which ensures that the information is conveyed effectively. There are a few minor slips, such as the phrasing 'i.e. a biofuel from plants and animals' which is slightly awkward, and the use of 'their' in the second paragraph is ambiguous as it is unclear if it refers to the plants or the stages. However, these errors do not impede communication, and your control over punctuation and sentence structure is generally solid.

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

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