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 given diagram outlines the flow of production of a biofuel called ethanol. Overall, it can be seen how a biofuel called ethanol is produced through different processes, beginning with the harvesting of plants and trees and ending with the production of ethanol.

Now, turning to the details, the process begins with the harvasting of grown plants and tress, which are then pre-processed to produce cellulose. The material is then processed to produce sugars. The final stage involves the production of a biofuel called ethanol by adding microbes to the sugars. As a result, the produced ethanol is then consumed by transportation vehicles, such as cars, trucks and aeroplanes. This is followed by the release of carbon dioxide into the environment by different types of vehicles. Furthermore, the released carbon dioxide combines with sunlight and is used by plants to produce energy, which helps them grow.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the process as a cycle and describe the main conversion stages, including pre-processing to cellulose, processing to sugars, and adding microbes to produce ethanol. You also mention the transport uses and the return of carbon dioxide. However, the overview is not fully accurate: it says the process begins with harvesting and ends with ethanol, whereas the diagram begins with plant growth using sunlight and carbon dioxide and shows carbon dioxide returning to the plants. The explanation that carbon dioxide combines with sunlight to produce energy is also imprecise; sunlight and carbon dioxide support plant growth. Some stages and links are compressed, and the response is four words below the required minimum. A more complete, precise overview and fuller description of the cycle would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised clearly into an introductory overview followed by a paragraph describing the stages. Its progression is easy to follow, moving from plant harvesting through fuel production and use to carbon dioxide release. Linking expressions such as “Now, turning to the details,” “As a result,” and “Furthermore” help signal these steps, and the sequence is generally logical. To improve further, make the overview and detailed account align more closely: the opening says the process ends with ethanol, while the final sentences describe the cycle returning carbon dioxide to plant growth. Some transitions also imply a less exact relationship than the diagram shows. Clearer references to the cycle’s starting and returning points would make the progression more cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “pre-processed,” “cellulose,” “sugars,” “microbes,” and “release of carbon dioxide,” which makes the stages understandable. There are, however, some spelling and word-choice inaccuracies: “harvasting” and “tress” should be corrected, and “consumed by transportation vehicles” is less precise than saying ethanol is used as fuel by vehicles. The phrase “combines with sunlight” also does not accurately express the relationship shown. Repetition of “produced” and “production” limits flexibility in places. Aim for precise process collocations and vary repeated terms—for example, use “converted into” or “generated” where appropriate—while retaining the diagram’s exact meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including the passive construction “are then pre-processed” and the relative clause “which helps them grow.” Most sentences communicate the intended sequence without difficulty. Some grammatical choices are less controlled, particularly “it can be seen how a biofuel called ethanol is produced,” where the phrasing is awkward, and “by adding microbes to the sugars,” which leaves the agent of the action unclear. The long final sentence also combines several relationships and would be clearer if divided or structured more precisely. Continue using passive forms for process descriptions, but check that each clause clearly identifies what acts on what and that sentence structures remain accurate.

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.