Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-04

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 the making of the biochemical named ethanol. Overall, the cyclic process involves several steps, starting from carbon dioxide as a source of energy to end by producing ethanol as a fuel.

Firstly, plants and trees uses the sunlight and carbon dioxide as a energy source to grow into a mature plant. Later on, these trees are harvested and sent to pre-processing section where they are broken down into small pieces. Cellulose is then extracted from those small chunks. Following the process, cellulose then undergo the process from where it is converted into sugars. The next final step is the addition of microbes that help in the production of ethanol as a bi-product.

Furthermore, ethanol is being utilized as fuel by several vehicles including car, trucks and airplanes. This biofuel is fed to their engines as a source of energy, and in result, the carbon dioxide is released in the form of waste. This carbon dioxide is used by plants to grow and the cycle continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by presenting an overview of the cycle and detailing the main stages of ethanol production. The overview captures the cyclic nature of the process well, noting how it starts with energy sources and ends with biofuel utilisation and carbon dioxide release. The student highlights key stages such as plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing into cellulose, conversion into sugars, and the addition of microbes. While the main features are covered, some aspects could have been slightly more extended and supported to reach the highest levels, such as explicitly mentioning the various types of transport driven by the biofuel at the end. However, the position is clear throughout, and the selected features are entirely grounded in the provided visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response maintains a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is arranged sequentially, following the flow of the diagram from the initial energy source down to the final carbon dioxide release that feeds back into the cycle. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well to connect the stages, with transitional phrases like 'Firstly', 'Later on', 'Following the process', and 'Furthermore' helping to guide the reader through the sequence. Paragraphing is employed effectively, separating the introduction, the core manufacturing process, and the final utilisation and recycling stage. Although referencing is mostly clear, a little more flexibility in cohesive devices would elevate the response further.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully attempting less common vocabulary such as 'biochemical', 'cyclic process', 'cellulose', and 'bi-product'. However, there are some word choice and word form inaccuracies that prevent a higher score, such as 'biochemical named ethanol' instead of 'biofuel', and describing ethanol as a 'bi-product' when it is the main product of the process. Additionally, minor slips occur, such as writing 'uses' instead of 'use' with plural subjects. These lexical errors do not impede communication, but they highlight the need for greater precision in terminology and collocations when discussing scientific processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writing exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating a reasonable ability to link clauses using relative pronouns and conjunctions. There are some error-free sentences, but a number of grammatical slips persist. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('plants and trees uses'), missing articles ('sent to pre-processing section' instead of 'the pre-processing section'), and minor prepositional or structural awkwardness ('undergo the process from where it is converted'). Punctuation is generally acceptable. These errors rarely impede communication, but their presence across various structures keeps the control at the current level.

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