Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-22

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 7.0)

The provided diagram demonstrates the multi-step cyclical process of ethanol production. Overall, the natural and industrial process comprises eight distinct stages, commencing with the biological growth of plants and trees and culminating in the production of ethanol as a usable fuel source.

First of all, natural sunlight and carbon dioxide help in the growth of trees and plants as a form of energy. Next, these fully grown plants are harvested by a tractor and pre-processed by a mechanical crusher into a small polymer called cellulose. Thereafter, this polymer moves to the stage of chemical processing in laboratories to successfully convert cellulose into simple sugars. Then, in the next crucial step, these sugars are mixed and treated with microbes.

Finally, at the last step, these microbes create ethanol fuel that is actively used in heavy vehicles like airplanes, transport trucks, and normal cars. During combustion, this fuel releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, and this entire production process is repeated.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student has successfully covered all main stages of the biofuel production cycle, accurately reporting the steps from plant growth and harvesting to processing, microbe addition, and ethanol usage. An appropriate overview is provided in the introduction, highlighting that the process is a multi-step cyclical system. The details are well-grounded in the visual data, correctly mentioning cellulose, simple sugars, microbes, and carbon dioxide release during combustion. The information is presented logically without significant omissions or inventions, fully satisfying the requirements of Task 1.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The student makes good use of cohesive devices to guide the reader through the stages, such as 'First of all', 'Next', 'Thereafter', and 'Finally'. Paragraphing is handled well, dividing the response into a clear introduction, body, and concluding stage. Referencing and progression are smooth, although some transitions like 'First of all' feel slightly informal for an academic task, keeping the cohesion just shy of the highest bands.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate and precise enough for the task, incorporating appropriate topic-specific terms such as 'cyclical process', 'polymer', 'cellulose', 'chemical processing', and 'combustion'. However, the range of less common lexical items is somewhat limited, and phrases like 'First of all' and 'normal cars' are slightly conversational. Word choice and spelling are mostly accurate, allowing communication to flow smoothly without impediment.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating relative clauses and participial phrases effectively (e.g., 'ethanol fuel that is actively used in heavy vehicles', 'comprising eight distinct stages, commencing with...'). Grammatical control is strong, and the majority of sentences are error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to separate clauses, and verb tenses are handled appropriately for describing a continuous, repetitive process.

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.