Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-08

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 pictorial representation illustrates the process of Biofuel production. This procedure consists of several consecutive steps, beginning with the growth of plants and trees and culminating in the production of ethanol, which is then used as biofuel by different modes of transport.

At first glance, it is clear that the plants and trees grow with the help of sunlight and carbon dioxide, then matured plants and trees are harvested for the further process. The harvested plants and trees are undergone for pre-processing by which a cellulose is obtained. A cellulose is used for processing.

Moving further, the processed cellulose is converted into sugars. Moreover, microbes are added to sugar for the production of ethanol which is known as biofuel. Lastly, biofuel is used by different forms of transportation, which release carbon dioxide. Then, carbon dioxide is again used for the same process.

Overall, all the steps of this process are important and are interlinked to each other. The omission of even a single step would halt the whole procedure.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.0
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.0
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main stages accurately, from plant growth and harvesting through cellulose, sugars, microbes and ethanol, and you note that transport use releases carbon dioxide which returns to the plants. This gives the response a relevant overview and addresses the process as a whole. The description is not equally complete, however: the opening says ethanol is used by different transport modes, but the three examples—cars, trucks and aeroplanes—are not identified, and the final overview that every step is essential adds a general claim rather than highlighting the diagram’s key feature: its cyclical nature. Some stage descriptions are also unclear, particularly how pre-processing produces cellulose. To strengthen the response, report the cycle and the key inputs and outputs more precisely, while avoiding unsupported generalisations.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised into a clear introduction, a description of the early stages, a continuation through transport and carbon dioxide, and a concluding overview. The sequence is easy to follow, and transitions such as “Moving further” and “Lastly” help signal progression. This logical arrangement is effective, although some linking is mechanical and the final paragraph repeats the idea that the stages are connected without adding much to the process description. The reference in “Then, carbon dioxide is again used for the same process” is understandable but vague; specify that it is absorbed as plants grow. A more concise overview focused on the cycle, together with clearer links between each input and output, would make cohesion more flexible and precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “harvested,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “converted,” and “microbes,” so the stages are generally identifiable. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “pictorial representation” and “culminating.” However, some choices are awkward or imprecise: “matured plants and trees” is not a natural description here, “a cellulose” uses the material name incorrectly, and “different forms of transportation” is less precise than naming the vehicles shown. “Biofuel” is also repeated where “ethanol” would be clearer. Aim for natural collocations and exact process terms rather than ornate wording; this will improve precision while retaining an appropriate academic tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including the opening sentence with “beginning” and “culminating,” and most meanings remain clear. Some grammatical errors are present, especially in verb forms and articles. For example, “plants and trees are undergone for pre-processing” has an incorrect passive construction; write that they “undergo pre-processing.” In “then matured plants and trees are harvested,” the tense and structure are awkward, while “a cellulose is obtained” and “A cellulose is used” misuse the article with an uncountable material noun. The sentence “microbes are added to sugar” also needs a more precise grammatical expression, such as “to the sugars.” Review passive forms and article use, and vary sentence structures while checking that each clause is complete and natural.

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