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 diagram illustrates the complete process involved in the manufacturing of ethanol from plants, whereby considered a biofuel.

Overall, this cyclic process can be categorized into 3 main stages - agricultural growth and harvestation, processing and treatment of cellulose with futher addition of microbes for production of ethanol.

In the initial agricultural stage, plants utilise energy sources like sunlight and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, which is beneficial for their growth. Subsequently, the plants are harvested and transported for processing. Plants and tress cannot be directly processed, thus plant material is broken down and processed to form raw cellulose. Cellulose goes a series or chemical and thermal process converting it into simple sugars

In subsequent stages, microbes are added for fermentation of sugars which eventually leads to the formation of ethanol.

Ethanol is utilised in automobiles such as aeroplanes, cars, trucks and many more. These vehicles emit carbon dioxide which are taken up by the plants making the entire process a closed loop cycle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You give a clear account of the main stages, from plant growth and harvesting through cellulose processing, sugar conversion and ethanol production, and you identify the cycle in which transport emissions return to the plants. The opening overview also groups the process into broad stages, which helps address the task rather than simply listing labels. Some details, however, are added without support from the diagram: it does not say that harvested plants are transported, or that cellulose undergoes both chemical and thermal treatment. The description of the processing steps could also be more precise, particularly the transition from cellulose to sugars and the role of microbes. Keep the overview, but distinguish clearly between information shown and assumptions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response follows a logical sequence and is divided into paragraphs that move from the overview to the early stages, later production and the carbon cycle. Sequencing expressions such as “Overall,” “In the initial agricultural stage” and “In subsequent stages” make the progression easy to follow. The final sentence effectively links vehicle use back to plant growth, completing the cycle. Cohesion is generally clear, although some links are broad or slightly awkward: “Subsequently” introduces harvesting and transport together, while the diagram does not show transport between these stages. The long sentence beginning “Plants and tress cannot be directly processed” also combines several steps, making the process less easy to track. Use one sentence per key transition and connect each stage explicitly.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “cyclic process,” “cellulose,” “fermentation,” “formation” and “closed loop cycle.” These terms help convey the technical subject and show an attempt to vary wording. However, some choices are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “harvestation,” “tress,” “a series or chemical and thermal process,” and “whereby considered a biofuel.” “Utilised” is understandable, but “used as fuel” would be more direct in this context. Spelling and word-form slips reduce precision, even though the overall meaning remains clear. Aim for accurate, conventional process terms rather than more elaborate phrasing, and check spelling and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including the relative clause in “which is beneficial for their growth” and the sentence explaining that vehicle emissions are taken up by plants. Most ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors are present. The opening sentence is incomplete or malformed after “whereby” (“whereby considered a biofuel”), and “Cellulose goes a series” is missing a necessary preposition and article. There is also an agreement problem in “carbon dioxide which are taken up,” where the relative pronoun should refer to a singular mass noun. The sentence beginning “Plants and tress cannot…” is run together with the next process description. Review clause construction, articles and subject–verb agreement, and use punctuation to separate stages.

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