Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-26
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 of manufacturing a biofuel called ethanol, alongside its continuous carbon cycle.
Overall, the production involves a multi-stage linear sequence—spanning agricultural cultivation, mechanical pre-processing, chemical refinement, and microbial fermentation—integrated within a closed-loop system where emitted carbon dioxide is reabsorbed by flora.
Initially, trees and plants absorb energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide to grow. Once mature, this organic biomass is harvested using specialized machinery and undergoes pre-processing to extract cellulose. This material is then transferred to a industrial facility, where it is chemically processed to break it down into simple sugars.
During the biological refinement phase, microbes are added to the sugars to catalyze fermentation, thereby producing liquid ethanol. The finished biofuel is subsequently distributed to power transport vehicles, including automobiles, freight trucks, and aircraft. Finally, the combustion of ethanol in these engines releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This emission is continuously reabsorbed by living plants during growth, thereby perpetuating the cyclical flow of energy.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student has successfully addressed all parts of the task. The response clearly outlines the main stages of ethanol production from plant growth and harvesting through pre-processing, chemical refinement, and microbial fermentation to the final use and carbon dioxide cycle. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing both the linear manufacturing sequence and the overarching closed-loop environmental system. The information reported is fully grounded in the visual data, with no unsupported claims or misreadings. All key steps are appropriately sequenced and articulated, demonstrating a strong command of the requirements for Academic Task 1.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0
The response is logically organized with a clear progression from introduction and overview to detailed body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used effectively, with each stage of the process appropriately grouped. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Once mature', 'This material is then transferred', and 'Finally' are managed naturally and flexibly without being overly mechanical. Referencing throughout the text is clear, ensuring the reader can effortlessly follow the cyclical flow of the biofuel production process.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.5
The student demonstrates a wide, flexible, and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic process description. Less common lexical items and collocations are used skillfully, such as 'agricultural cultivation', 'mechanical pre-processing', 'microbial fermentation', and 'closed-loop system'. Word choice is generally accurate, with only a minor slip in the third paragraph ('to a industrial facility' instead of 'an industrial facility'), which does not impede communication. The terminology precisely reflects the visual data provided.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The response exhibits a wide variety of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of control and accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring sophisticated syntactic constructions such as participial phrases ('spanning agricultural cultivation...'), passive voice constructions ('is harvested using specialized machinery'), and relative or adverbial clauses. Punctuation and grammatical markers are handled expertly throughout, supporting the smooth flow of academic discourse.
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