Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 provided figure illustrates the multi-stage process through which mature plants and tress are systematically converted into ethanol.

Overall, it is evident that the diagram consists of a cycle to produce ethanol, beginning with harvesting the plants and trees which grow from sunlight and carbon dioxide and culminating by adding microbes into sugars to form ethanol, which is then used in various vehicles which release carbon dioxide into air.

Initially, plants and trees grow with the help of natural energy, such as sunlight and carbon dioxide. Then, the mature trees are harvested and transported through a tractor for further processing. Next, it goes into a specific tool where pre-processing takes place, after which cellulose is formed.

Following this, the cellulose goes for further processing which includes different chemicals to convert it into sugars. Finally, microbes are added to the sugars to form the ethanol. The ethanol is used as a fuel to run different vehicles, such as cars, trucks and airplanes, which will release carbon dioxide. Likewise, the released carbon dioxide can be used by plants as an energy source to grow and this cycle continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by summarizing the main features of the ethanol production cycle and tracing its stages from plant growth to vehicle emissions and carbon absorption. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the cyclical nature of the process ('a cycle to produce ethanol... which is then used in various vehicles which release carbon dioxide into air'). Key stages such as plant harvesting, pre-processing into cellulose, processing into sugars, microbial conversion into ethanol, and the resulting carbon dioxide emissions are all accurately reported. The information is fully grounded in the provided visual data, with no invented or misread data points, earning a solid band score for this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response exhibits clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information is grouped sensibly into an introduction, an overview, and distinct body paragraphs detailing the sequential steps of the process. The student makes good use of cohesive devices to guide the reader through the stages, such as 'Initially', 'Then', 'Next', 'Following this', and 'Finally'. Paragraphing is used appropriately, separating the introductory elements and overview from the detailed process steps. However, referencing is occasionally slightly imprecise, such as using 'it goes into' where the antecedent is plural ('mature trees'), but this minor lapse does not impede the overall flow or clarity of the writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, allowing for reasonable precision when describing technical stages ('systematically converted', 'pre-processing', 'cellulose', 'microbial conversion'). Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation, such as 'culminating by adding microbes' and 'energy source'. However, there are a few word choice and spelling inaccuracies, such as 'tress' instead of 'trees' in the opening sentence, and minor awkwardness in phrasing like 'transported through a tractor' instead of 'transported by tractor'. Despite these occasional slips, the vocabulary is more than adequate to convey the intended meaning clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses ('which grow from sunlight') and participial phrases effectively. There are frequent error-free sentences, demonstrating decent overall control of grammar and punctuation. Minor errors do occur, such as the pronoun agreement issue in 'mature trees are harvested and transported through a tractor... Next, it goes into...', where the plural subject ('trees') is followed by a singular pronoun ('it'). Additionally, the article usage in 'into air' could be improved ('into the air'). Nevertheless, these errors are non-systematic and do not impede communication, supporting a solid band 6.5 performance.

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