Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-24

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 diagram delineates how biofuel known as ethanol is produced.

Overall, it is a cycle that has eight main stages. The process starts with planting and harvesting of trees and ends on ethanol being used in different means of transportation, which creates carbon dioxide.

The process starts with the plantation of trees and plants. They grow by using energy (sunlight and carbon dioxide). After the plants grow, they are harvested through machinery and taken for pre-processing. The pre-processed plants and trees become cellulose, which is further taken to laboratories. In laboratories, the cellulose is processed with different chemicals that separates the sugar molecules.

Next in the sugar, microbes are added. By adding the microbes, the sugar turns into ethanol. Lastly, the created ethanol is used in different source of transportation, such as cars, airplanes, trucks or buses. The transport which uses ethanol, creates carbon dioxide that travels in the air. The same carbon dioxide is used by the plants for energy. This cycle keeps on repeating itself.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main features of the ethanol production cycle. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the cyclical nature of the process and identifying the key stages from plant growth to transportation and carbon dioxide release. The sequential steps—including harvesting, pre-processing into cellulose, processing into sugars, adding microbes to create ethanol, and the subsequent generation of carbon dioxide—are reported accurately in line with the visual data. The response meets the minimum length requirement and demonstrates a clear understanding of the diagram without introducing irrelevant outside information, fully satisfying the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response exhibits clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information is grouped logically into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological flow of the cycle. Cohesive devices such as 'The process starts with', 'After the plants grow', 'Next', and 'Lastly' are used effectively to guide the reader through the stages. Paragraphing is handled appropriately, separating the overarching summary from the detailed process steps. However, referencing is occasionally repetitive, which prevents the response from achieving a higher band. Overall, the structural flow is smooth and coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing process-specific terms such as 'delineates', 'harvested', 'pre-processing', 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'transportation'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of collocation, for example, 'plantation of trees', 'sugar molecules', and 'source of transportation'. While there are a few minor lexical inaccuracies or awkward phrasings—such as 'ends on ethanol being used' instead of 'ends with' and 'Next in the sugar'—these errors do not impede communication, allowing the student to secure a solid Band 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'The transport which uses ethanol, creates carbon dioxide that travels in the air'). Control over grammar is generally good, and many sentences are error-free. However, there are minor grammatical slips and punctuation errors, such as unnecessary commas ('The transport which uses ethanol, creates') and preposition choices ('ends on ethanol' instead of 'ends with'). These errors are non-systematic and do not hinder comprehension, placing the performance comfortably within the Band 6.5 range.

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

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