Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The diagram illustrates the process by which ethanol biofuel is produced from plant material and how carbon dioxide circulates throughout the cycle.

Overall, ethanol production is a cyclical process that begins with the growth of plants and trees and ends with the use of ethanol as a fuel. A key feature of the system is that the carbon dioxide released during production and consumption is reabsorbed by plants, creating a continuous cycle.

Initially, plants and trees grow by using energy from sunlight together with carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Once mature, these crops are harvested and sent for pre-processing, during which some carbon dioxide is emitted. The plant material is then converted into cellulose, which is subsequently transported to a processing facility.

At the processing stage, cellulose is broken down into sugars. Microorganisms are then added to the sugars to facilitate fermentation, resulting in the production of ethanol. The finished biofuel is 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. Additional emissions also occur during the pre-processing stage. However, this carbon dioxide is absorbed by growing plants and trees, which use it along with sunlight to produce new biomass. As a result, ethanol production operates as a renewable cycle in which plant material is continuously converted into fuel and the emitted carbon dioxide is largely recycled.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear and accurate overview of the ethanol production process and its cyclical nature. Key features of the diagram are properly selected and reported, including the initial growth of plants, pre-processing, conversion to cellulose and sugars, addition of microbes, and the final use of ethanol in transportation alongside the release and reabsorption of carbon dioxide. The stages are described in a logical sequence that accurately reflects the provided visual data without introducing invented or misread information. The response fully satisfies the requirements of Task 1 for an Academic response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress smoothly from the introduction of the overall cycle through each consecutive stage of production to the final environmental loop. Paragraphing is used effectively and appropriately, with each stage or thematic shift clearly separated into its own paragraph. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Once mature', 'subsequently', and 'As a result' are used naturally and flexibly to guide the reader through the process. Reference words are handled well, ensuring that the progression of steps remains completely clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible vocabulary range suited to describing a scientific or technical process. Less common items such as 'cyclical', 'biomass', 'fermentation', and 'reabsorbed' are used with good awareness of style and collocation. Word choices are precise, as seen in expressions like 'facilitate fermentation' and 'operates as a renewable cycle'. There are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors, allowing the message to be communicated with a high degree of natural control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response features a wide variety of complex structures deployed accurately and flexibly. The majority of sentences are error-free, utilizing participial phrases ('Once mature, these crops are harvested'), relative clauses, and appropriate passive voice constructions ('cellulose is broken down into sugars'). Control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout, and punctuation is handled correctly to separate clauses and items in a list. Only rare minor slips might be conceivable, but the actual text maintains a very high standard of accuracy.

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