Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-04

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 illustrates the process in the form of a cycle for the manufacturing of ethanol.

Overall, the process starts from the growing of trees and ends at the consumption of ethanol in transportation before the cycle begins again. It mainly consists of three main stages: growing plants and trees for ethanol, then getting ethanol through a chemical process, and in the last stage, that ethanol is used in vehicles.

Firstly, plants and trees are grown by farmers, and when they become mature, they are harvested. Then, trees pass through a preprocessing stage to convert them into tiny fragments. Cellulose is extracted from tiny fragments for the making of ethanol. In the chemical process, cellulose is passed through different chemical processes that extract the right sugars from it. After sugar extraction, microbes are added to convert the chemical into useful fuel: ethanol.

In the end, the ethanol is used in different vehicles for consumption. Carbon dioxide is emitted from vehicles in the form of smoke in the air, which again becomes part of the environment. Trees inhale carbon dioxide from the air, and the cycle for the production of ethanol is started again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the ethanol production cycle. You have clearly outlined the three primary stages: cultivation, chemical processing, and consumption. The description of the cycle is accurate, and you have correctly identified the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and plant growth. To reach a higher band, ensure you include more precise technical details from the diagram, such as the specific inputs (e.g., sunlight, water) or the transformation of cellulose into sugar. While the overview is clear, adding a slightly more analytical comparison of the stages would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary of the cycle. The progression of ideas is easy to follow, moving chronologically through the process. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Then', and 'In the end' effectively to guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly repetitive or mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that the connection between the final stage and the beginning of the cycle is more seamlessly integrated into the flow of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process accurately, using terms like 'preprocessing', 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'emitted'. The word choice is generally appropriate for a technical description. However, there is some repetition of basic verbs like 'get' and 'make'. To achieve a higher score, incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe the chemical and mechanical transformations, such as 'break down', 'synthesize', or 'facilitate'. The current vocabulary is functional but lacks the sophistication required for the higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. Most sentences are clear and grammatically accurate, with few errors that impede communication. You have used passive voice effectively, which is essential for process descriptions (e.g., 'plants and trees are grown', 'cellulose is extracted'). There are minor issues with article usage and phrasing, such as 'the growing of trees' (better as 'the cultivation of trees'). Overall, the control of grammar is good, though more variety in complex sentence structures would be beneficial.

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