Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-14

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 displays the process of a biofuel called ethanol.

Overall, the process consists of 4 stages which produces ethanol. Ethanol is used in various types of vehicles which release carbondioxide (CO2) and the process starts over again.

The process of producing ethanol starts by planting and growing trees, which are then harvested by a tractor and sent to a factory for the pre-processing stage which creates cellulose. The cellulose is then sent to a factory to be processed into sugar, and then microbes are added to the sugar which creates the biofuel called ethanol.

The biofuel is then used in different vehicles like trucks, cars and airplanes. These vehicles emanate carbondioxide (CO2) which is released into the air. The process then starts over again by using the released carbondioxide (CO2) from the air and sunlight from the sun to grow the trees required for the plantation of the trees.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main stages and identify the important circular feature: carbon dioxide from vehicle use returns to support plant growth. The sequence from harvesting through pre-processing, cellulose, processing, sugars, microbes and ethanol is mostly clear. However, the overview says the process has “4 stages,” which does not represent the full sequence, and the diagram shows plants growing through sunlight and carbon dioxide rather than being planted as the first step. Some details are also imprecise: pre-processing produces cellulose, while processing converts it into sugars; the diagram does not specify that the materials are sent between factories. To strengthen the response, describe the stages accurately and distinguish the two processing steps more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a sensible order, moving from an introduction and overview to production stages and then vehicle use and the return of carbon dioxide. This gives the reader a coherent account of the cycle. Linking phrases such as “Overall,” “The cellulose is then,” and “The process then starts over again” help signal progression. However, the overview’s reference to “4 stages” conflicts with the more detailed sequence that follows, and repeated use of “then” makes some connections mechanical. The final sentence also repeats the cycle’s starting point rather than adding a distinct concluding feature. A more precise overview and a few varied sequencing expressions would make the progression clearer and more flexible.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “harvested,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “microbes,” and “released,” so the stages are generally understandable. There are also some less suitable choices and spelling issues that limit precision. “Emanate” is unnatural for describing emissions from vehicles; “emit” or “release” is more appropriate. “Sugar” should be “sugars,” matching the diagram, and “carbondioxide” should be written as two words, “carbon dioxide.” The phrase “plantation of the trees” is also awkward in this context. Aim for accurate technical terms and natural collocations rather than using more formal-sounding words where a simpler verb is more precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including the relative clause “which are then harvested” and the passive construction “microbes are added.” Most sentences communicate the process clearly, and the sequence is easy to follow. Some grammatical inaccuracies remain. In “4 stages which produces ethanol,” the verb does not agree with the plural noun; “four stages that produce ethanol” would be correct. “The process starts by planting and growing trees” also presents the process as an action by people, whereas the diagram shows the trees growing. The long final sentence joins several stages and ideas, making it less controlled. Use accurate agreement and divide complex explanations where needed to maintain clarity.

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