Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-16

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 8.0)

The diagram illustrates the process by which ethanol fuel is produced from plant material and shows how carbon dioxide is recycled throughout the process.

Overall, ethanol production is a cyclical, multi-stage process that begins with the cultivation of plants and ends with the combustion of ethanol in vehicles. A particularly notable feature is that the carbon dioxide released during ethanol production and use is subsequently reabsorbed by growing plants, allowing the cycle to continue.

Initially, plants and trees grow by absorbing carbon dioxide and using sunlight as an energy source. Once they reach maturity, they are harvested and undergo pre-processing, during which the plant material is converted into cellulose. This cellulose is then subjected to further processing, resulting in the production of sugars.

In the next stage, microbes are introduced to the sugars, which causes fermentation and produces ethanol. The resulting biofuel can subsequently be used to power various forms of transport, including cars, trucks and aircraft. When ethanol is burned as fuel, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

Finally, this carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants during their growth, thereby completing the cycle. In this way, ethanol production differs from a linear manufacturing process because its final emissions are incorporated into the initial stage of the process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student has successfully addressed all parts of the task by providing a clear, accurate summary of the biofuel production process. The response effectively highlights the main features, such as the cyclical nature of ethanol production and the role of carbon dioxide. An insightful overview is presented in the second paragraph, capturing the overall sequence and environmental loop. All details, including the stages from plant growth and harvesting through to pre-processing, cellulose conversion, processing into sugars, fermentation via microbes, and eventual combustion in transport vehicles, are accurately reported without any misinterpretations of the visual data. The response meets all requirements for Task Achievement at a high standard.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

Coherence and cohesion are managed exceptionally well throughout the response. Ideas are logically sequenced, guiding the reader smoothly from the initial growth phase through processing and consumption, and finally back to the absorption of carbon dioxide. Paragraphing is used appropriately and effectively, separating the introduction/overview, the first half of the process, the second half, and the concluding cyclic implications. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Once', 'This cellulose is then', 'In the next stage', and 'Finally' are used naturally and flexibly without feeling mechanical or repetitive. Referencing is clear and precise across all sentences.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, flexible, and precise lexical resource appropriate for an academic task. Words and phrases such as 'cultivation', 'combustion', 'subsequently reabsorbed', 'subjected to further processing', and 'incorporates' show a sophisticated command of vocabulary. Less common lexical items are used with high awareness of style and collocation, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling. The vocabulary choice enhances the clarity and academic tone of the report without relying on awkward or forced expressions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writer displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy and control. Examples include participial phrases ('by absorbing carbon dioxide'), time clauses ('Once they reach maturity'), and relative clauses ('during which the plant material is converted'). The vast majority of sentences are completely error-free, and punctuation is handled flawlessly. Control over voice, tense, and subject-verb agreement is maintained consistently from beginning to end, reflecting a high level of grammatical maturity.

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