Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-05

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 given diagram illustrates the different natural and man made steps involved in the production of a biofuel known as ethanol.

Overall, the process involve different stages: plants growth, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose formation. processing of sugars, and addition of microbes to Ethanol, which is then used in different motor vehicles and planes.

Firstly, the plants use sunlight and CO2 to grow, after that these plants are harvested by the use of a tractor and a harvestor. Following that, these plants are chopped into pieces by a chopper. Then these segments of plants are use a source of cellulose in the factories to produce sugars.

Finally, special type of micro-organisms are added into these processed sugars to convert them into ethanol. This ethanol is then used as a fuel in the cars, trucks, and aeroplanes. These vehicles emits carbon dioxide into the air produced by the combustion of ethanol. The plants re-use this carbon dioxide from air for the process of photosynthesis to make their own food.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response covers all key parts of the task by outlining the main stages of biofuel production, from plant growth and harvesting to processing, microbe addition, and the subsequent use and recycling of carbon dioxide. The overview captures the overall nature of the process well. However, the explanation of certain stages is slightly underdeveloped or mechanical, such as the transition from cellulose formation to processing, which prevents it from reaching a higher band. Ideas are relevant and supported by the details provided in the diagram, showing a clear understanding of the cyclical nature of ethanol production.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

There is a clear overall progression throughout the response, moving logically from the initial natural inputs through the factory stages to final consumption and environmental recycling. Paragraphing is used reasonably well to separate the introduction, the overview, and the sequential steps of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Following that', and 'Finally' are employed to guide the reader through the stages, though referencing and transitions occasionally feel slightly mechanical or repetitive, aligning comfortably with a solid operational level.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, successfully conveying terms such as 'photosynthesis', 'cellulose', 'micro-organisms', and 'combustion'. However, there are some noticeable lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as writing 'process involve' instead of 'involves', 'plants growth' instead of 'plant growth', and spelling 'harvestor' instead of 'harvester'. Attempts at less common vocabulary are made, but occasional errors in word formation and collocation prevent the lexical score from being higher.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The text demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative and dependent clauses such as 'which is then used in different motor vehicles'. However, there are several grammatical and mechanical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues like 'these segments of plants are use a source' instead of 'are used as', punctuation errors like the stray period in 'cellulose formation. processing of sugars', and missing articles or prepositional awkwardness. These errors persist and reflect a limitation in grammatical control and punctuation accuracy.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.