Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-02

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 illustrates how a biofuel called ethanol is produced from plants and trees.

Overall, the process consists of eight main stages, beginning with the growth of plants and trees and ending with the release of carbon dioxide, which is then absorbed by plants. In general, it is a circular process.

At the first stage, plants and trees grow by using energy from natural resources sunlight and carbon dioxide. They are harvested and undergo pre-processing, after which cellulose is obtained. Next, the cellulose is sent to a processing plant, where it is converted into sugars.

Once this has been completed, microbes are added to the sugars. which results in ethanol. This can be used for running automobiles such as trucks, cars and aeroplanes. During this combustion process in automobiles carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide is subsequently absorbed by plants

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response successfully covers all the main stages of the ethanol production process, presenting a clear overview of the cycle from the initial growth of plants to the final release and reabsorption of carbon dioxide. However, the word count is 144 words, which falls short of the minimum 150-word requirement. This slight limitation means the response is penalized under length guidelines, resulting in a score that reflects an otherwise clear overview with some under-developed mechanical details. To reach a higher level, the writer should ensure the word count requirement is fully met and expand slightly on the intermediate processing stages to provide a more fully developed account of the entire diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The text demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from start to finish, reflecting the circular nature of the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction and overview from the body details. Cohesive devices are generally well handled, with sequencing expressions such as "At the first stage", "Next", and "Once this has been completed" guiding the reader through the steps. However, cohesion occasionally feels slightly mechanical, and a minor punctuation slip occurs before the word 'which' in the fourth sentence. To achieve a higher band, the writer could use more sophisticated and varied cohesive links rather than relying heavily on sequential time markers.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The writer uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a technical process, incorporating terms such as 'pre-processing', 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'combustion process'. There are successful attempts to use less common vocabulary like 'subsequently absorbed' and 'automobiles'. Word choices are generally appropriate and do not impede communication. However, occasional minor errors exist, such as missing articles or slight awkwardness in phrasing, but these do not obscure the meaning. To reach the next level, the student should incorporate a wider variety of precise, less common lexical items and collocations with greater flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, demonstrating an ability to combine clauses using relative pronouns and adverbial phrases. Examples include "plants and trees grow by using energy from natural resources sunlight and carbon dioxide" and "where it is converted into sugars". There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, most notably a sentence fragment ("...to the sugars. which results in ethanol.") and missing commas around appositives or lists ("natural resources sunlight and carbon dioxide"). Nevertheless, these errors rarely impede overall communication. To improve, the writer needs greater accuracy in punctuation control and a wider variety of complex grammatical structures used error-free.

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