Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The process diagram illustrates the procedure for producing biofuel, or ethanol.

Overall, the process begins with the cultivation of plants, which use sunlight and carbon dioxide to grow, and ends with the production and use of ethanol as a fuel. The process is cyclical, as carbon dioxide released by vehicles is subsequently absorbed by plants during their growth.

Initially, plants are cultivated on a large scale, using sunlight and carbon dioxide to grow. Once they have reached maturity, the plants are harvested and transported to a factory. There, a specialised machine extracts the raw material from the harvested plants, which is then processed to produce cellulose. The cellulose subsequently undergoes further processing to produce sugar.

In the next stage, microbes are added to the sugar in order to produce ethanol. The resulting biofuel is then is made available for vehicles. Cars, trucks and aeroplanes use ethanol as fuel and release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide is then absorbed by newly growing plants, thereby completing the cycle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by outlining the main stages of ethanol production from the initial growth of plants to its final use as vehicle fuel. The overview correctly highlights both the cyclical nature of the process and its primary phases, such as cultivation, processing, and carbon dioxide absorption. The progression of the stages is accurately reported, including pre-processing into cellulose, further processing into sugars, the addition of microbes, and the release of carbon dioxide by vehicles. There are no notable omissions or factual inaccuracies regarding the provided diagram. The response is fully grounded in the visual data, satisfying the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically sequenced and easy to follow. Progression is clearly managed through the introduction of a concise overview paragraph followed by distinct body paragraphs that trace the sequential steps of the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Initially', 'Once', 'There', and 'In the next stage' are used effectively to guide the reader through the cycle. Paragraphing is logical and appropriate, separating the introduction, the sequential processing steps, and the final application/recycling phase. Reference words are handled smoothly throughout the text, ensuring that relationships between ideas remain clear without mechanical repetition.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a technical or manufacturing process. Terms such as 'cultivation', 'maturity', 'harvested', 'specialised machine', 'cellulose', and 'microbes' are used accurately. There is some awareness of collocation and style, as seen in phrases like 'large scale', 'raw material', and 'released into the atmosphere'. While the vocabulary is not overly sophisticated or rare throughout every single sentence, it is precise enough to convey the information smoothly and without ambiguity. There are no spelling or word-choice errors observed.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and adverbial clauses of time and purpose (e.g., 'which use sunlight and carbon dioxide to grow', 'Once they have reached maturity, the plants are harvested'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammatical control is consistently strong. There is a single minor slip in the fourth paragraph ('The resulting biofuel is then is made available'), where a duplicated auxiliary verb occurs, but this is an isolated, non-systematic error that does not impede communication or obscure the overall meaning. Punctuation is accurate throughout.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.