Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-11

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)

gram outlines the process by which ethanol is manufactured which is a biofuel and is produced in a plant. The production of ethanol begins with the growth of plants and trees and ends up with the formation of ethanol a fuel. However, an important feature of this process is that carbondioxide is released and reabsorbed by plants thus creating a continuous cycle.

Initially, Plants and trees absorb carbondioxide and sunlight from the surroundings by a process called "photosynthesis". This process helps plants to convert these two ingredients to energy which contributes towards the growth of Plants. later on when these plants are mature they're harvested using heavy machines. The harvested Plants and trees undergo a pre-processing stage where they're broken down into strands of cellulose. Furthermore, these strands of cellulose are further broken down into simpler sugar molecules with the help of chemicals.

Moving on, after undergoing the physical and chemical processes these sugar molecules as undergo biological process. In these biological processes Microbes are added to convert these sugars to Ethanol. The end product ethanol is used as a fuel for vehicles. However, when these vehicles use this fuel ethanol is burned up and thus Carbondioxide is released into the atmosphere as a waste product. This carbondioxide will be reabsorbed by Plants and trees and the cycle continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all stages of the ethanol production process, from the growth of plants to the final combustion in vehicles. You have successfully identified the cyclical nature of the process, which is a key feature of the diagram. The overview is clear, and the main steps are logically sequenced. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the specific inputs and outputs at each stage (such as the addition of chemicals and microbes) with more precision. The summary is accurate and addresses the requirements of the prompt well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs that follow the chronological flow of the process. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Furthermore', 'Moving on', and 'However' to guide the reader. While the structure is clear, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The referencing is generally consistent, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow throughout the response. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction and distinct stages of the process separated logically.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'photosynthesis', 'cellulose', and 'microbes' correctly. However, there are some inconsistencies in capitalization (e.g., 'Plants', 'Carbondioxide') and minor word choice issues, such as 'ends up with the formation of'. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the process clearly, but it lacks the more sophisticated, precise collocations that would characterize a higher band score. Improving the variety of verbs used to describe the stages would enhance the overall quality.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly regarding capitalization and punctuation, such as 'gram outlines' (missing 'The') and 'these sugar molecules as undergo'. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. You have attempted some complex sentences, but the control over these structures is inconsistent. Focusing on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and capitalization would significantly improve your accuracy.

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