Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-11

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 7.0)

The diagram outlines the six major stages in production of an important alcohol used as a fuel for motor vehicles and aircrafts, ethanol.

Overall, the ethanol manufacturing follows a cyclic six-step procedure. Starting from collecting plants and finishing at carbondioxide emissions in air.

Initially, plants including large trees reach their maximum growth by perfoming photosynthesis with absoption of sunlight and carbondioxide from the environment as raw materials. These plants are gathered and reaped afterwards. Next, the pre-processing stage begans with the crushing of large leaves and barks into smaller pieces. Then the cellulose, a major plant cell wall constituent, is extracted from the smaller pieces and are then transfered to the processing unit.

Inside the processing unit, the cellulose extracted from plant cell walls are processed at optimum laboratory conditions and hygien. Subsequently, processed cellulose yield a huge number smaller sugar units. Finally, this sugar in the form of glucose is now interacted with specifically cultured microorganisms to make ethanol. The process of making ethanol from sugar is also known as the alcoholic fermentation or anaerobic respiration in bacteria. This ethanol is then used as a fuel for cars, buses, trucks and airplanes. The carbon emissions from these vehicles are again recycled and absorbed by plants, which continues the cycle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response gives a clear account of the main stages and captures the diagram’s defining feature: carbon dioxide released when ethanol is used returns to support plant growth. The overview identifies a cycle, and the sequence from harvesting through pre-processing, cellulose, processing, sugars and microbes to ethanol is generally reported accurately. The description also extends the final use of ethanol to transport. Some details, however, go beyond the visual: crushing leaves and bark, extracting cellulose, laboratory conditions, glucose specifically, and anaerobic respiration are not shown. The opening calls this a six-step procedure, although the diagram presents more distinct stages. To strengthen the response further, distinguish clearly between what the diagram depicts and background explanation, and describe the stages without adding unsupported specifics.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The information is organised in a clear progression: an introduction and overview are followed by the early production stages, the conversion process, and the return of carbon dioxide to plants. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “Next,” “Subsequently,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the cycle, while the final sentence effectively reconnects the process to its beginning. This is a strong, logical structure. At times, however, the links between stages are less precise because extra explanations interrupt the process sequence—for example, the discussion of fermentation terminology. The overview’s “Starting from collecting plants” also does not align neatly with the diagram’s initial growth stage. Keep the overview and body aligned with the visual sequence, and use concise transitions to make each stage’s relationship explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

There is a useful range of process vocabulary, including “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “microorganisms,” “absorbed,” and “recycled,” which helps convey the technical subject. Some less common terms are attempted, but several choices are inaccurate, awkward, or unnecessarily specialised for a diagram summary. “Reaped” is not the natural term for gathering plants, “carbondioxide” is incorrectly written as one word, and “optimum laboratory conditions and hygien” introduces unsupported detail as well as a spelling error. Phrases such as “a huge number smaller sugar units” are also imprecise. Aim for accurate, natural collocations and use the diagram’s own labels where possible; this will make the vocabulary more precise without requiring extra technical terminology.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex forms, including participial phrasing (“Starting from collecting plants”) and subordinate clauses (“which continues the cycle”). Most of the process remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “the cellulose … are then transferred” has a subject–verb agreement problem, as does “the cellulose … are processed”; “the process … follows” is also awkwardly formed in the overview. There are errors in verb forms and sentence construction in “the pre-processing stage begans” and “sugar … is now interacted with.” The opening fragment beginning “Starting from” is not a complete sentence. Check agreement with singular mass nouns such as “cellulose,” use complete sentences, and review verb patterns after “interact” and “begin” to improve accuracy.

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