Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-09

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 process diagram illustrates different stages in the production of ethanol from a biofuel.

Overall, the process is divided in to 9 stages, beginning with the growth and harvesting of plants and ending with the emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Looking into the detailed information, firstly, it can be seen that the first step in the formation of ethanol is the growth of plants and trees by taking in energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide from the air. Secondly, these plants are harvested, followed by pre-processing in the third, resulting in the production of cellulose at fourth stage respectively. Afterwards, the cellulose undergoes processing, and consequently sugars are formed in the sixth step.

Conversely, the next step involves addition of some microbes in the sugar. As a result, ethanol is produced, which is eventually used by the automobile industries, such as airplanes, cars, and trucks. Hence, these combustion engines release carbon dioxide into the air, which is then again absorbed by the plants. Thus, the process continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main stages from plant growth through processing, fermentation and fuel use, and you identify the important cycle in which carbon dioxide returns to the plants. The overview also gives the process a clear beginning and ending. However, some details are imprecise: the diagram shows carbon dioxide released by the vehicles and returned to the plants, not specifically released “into the atmosphere,” and the process is not best described as nine stages because the diagram includes several distinct outputs and links. The statement that ethanol is used by “automobile industries” is also less accurate than saying it is used as fuel by cars, trucks and aircraft. More precise reporting of the diagram’s sequence and cycle would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a sensible sequence, with an overview followed by two paragraphs tracing the production stages and the final fuel-use cycle. Linking expressions such as “Firstly,” “Afterwards,” and “As a result” help the reader follow the process. At times, however, the transitions feel mechanical, and “Conversely” does not express a contrast between the addition of microbes and the preceding stage. The numbering is also confusing: the stages are called “third,” “fourth,” and “sixth” without a consistent count, while the overview gives a total of nine. Use fewer, more accurate sequencing markers and connect each stage directly to the next; this would make the progression clearer and cohesion less noticeable.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “undergoes processing,” “microbes,” and “emissions.” These terms help convey the technical sequence, and the meaning remains clear. Some choices are imprecise or unnatural for this diagram: “automobile industries” refers to manufacturers rather than the vehicles using the fuel, while “combustion engines” is more specific than the visual requires. “Formation of ethanol” is understandable but less direct than “production of ethanol.” There is also a spelling/spacing issue in “divided in to.” Aim for accurate collocations and concise process language, especially when describing the fuel’s use and the carbon cycle.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

There is a useful mix of simple and complex forms, including the opening overview and the relative clause in “which is then again absorbed by the plants.” Most sentences communicate the process successfully. Some grammatical inaccuracies remain: “divided in to” should be “divided into,” and “resulting in the production of cellulose at fourth stage” needs an article (“at the fourth stage”). The phrase “addition of some microbes in the sugar” also has an awkward grammatical pattern; a clearer construction is “microbes are added to the sugars.” The long sentence beginning “Secondly” combines several stages and makes the sequence harder to control. More consistent articles and prepositions, alongside shorter stage-by-stage sentences, would improve 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.