Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-29

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 8.0)

The diagram illustrates the cyclical process by which ethanol biofuel is produced from plants and trees and subsequently used as a fuel for transportation.

Overall, ethanol production involves several stages, beginning with the growth and harvesting of plants and ending with the use of ethanol in vehicles. A notable feature of the process is that carbon dioxide released during fuel consumption is reused by plants, creating a continuous cycle.

Initially, plants and trees grow by using sunlight and absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Once mature, they are harvested and then undergo a pre-processing stage. The resulting plant material is converted into cellulose, which is subsequently processed to produce sugars.

In the next stage, microbes are added to these sugars, leading to the production of ethanol. The finished biofuel can then be used to power different forms of transport, including cars, trucks and aircraft. When ethanol is burned by these vehicles, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. This gas is then absorbed by growing plants, thereby completing the cycle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The student has successfully addressed all parts of the task. The response provides a clear summary of the cyclical process by which ethanol is produced from plants and trees. The overview identifies the main features of the process, specifically noting that it begins with plant growth and harvesting, transitions through processing into ethanol, and forms a continuous cycle through the release and reabsorption of carbon dioxide. All key stages—including pre-processing, conversion to cellulose, production of sugars, addition of microbes, and consumption by transport—are reported accurately and in correct logical order based on the visual data. There is no irrelevant information or data misinterpretation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The text is logically organized with a clear overall progression from the beginning to the end of the biofuel cycle. Paragraphing is used effectively and appropriately, with an introduction, an overview paragraph, and distinct body paragraphs detailing the sequential steps. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Once mature', 'In the next stage', and 'When' are managed well to guide the reader smoothly through the cyclical process. Referencing is clear throughout, ensuring that the relationships between the steps and the carbon dioxide cycle are easy to follow without any noticeable faults.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and appropriate lexical range for an Academic Task 1 response. Vocabulary is well-chosen to describe a scientific process, using terms such as 'cyclical process', 'pre-processing stage', 'converted into cellulose', and 'biofuel'. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors, and communication is entirely natural and clear. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it stops just short of showcasing the wider or more sophisticated range of uncommon lexical items typically required for a Band 8 or 9 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The response exhibits a strong command of grammatical structures. The student successfully integrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time-dependent adverbial phrases (e.g., 'Plants and trees grow by using sunlight and absorbing carbon dioxide...', 'When ethanol is burned by these vehicles, carbon dioxide is released...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. Grammar and mechanics never impede communication.

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

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