Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-16

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 provided diagram illustrates the multi-stage process of how ethanol is produced, consisting of eight main steps, beginning with plants grow and culminating in production of carbon dioxide.

Overall, the process is cyclic, and involves a series of mechanical and chemical treatments, transitioning from raw agricultural inputs through various processing stages to the final output.

Looking at the first step of the process, the procedure commences with planting and growing the trees. Following the initial stage, the trees are harvested and sent for pre-processing. Subsequently, the material is broken down to extract cellulose.

Turning to the final stages, the semi-processed material is transported to industry to make a sugars from cellulose. Once this is completed, microbes are added to mixture to generate ethanol. Which is then used in vehicles such as cars, large truck, and aeroplanes to form a carbon dioxide from their emissons. Finally these carbon dioxide released into air and generate energy with the help of sunlight then use this energy to help a plants to grow.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the diagram as a cyclic process and cover its main stages, from plant growth and harvesting through cellulose, sugars, microbes and ethanol to carbon dioxide returning to support plant growth. This gives a relevant overview and a generally accurate account. Some details, however, are less fully or precisely reported: the diagram shows sunlight and carbon dioxide as inputs to plant growth, and ethanol is directed to three transport types, but the response does not clearly explain these links. “Planting” is also not shown; the diagram indicates that plants and trees grow. To strengthen the report, describe the cycle’s inputs and outputs explicitly and distinguish the labelled stages from inferred actions such as sending material to industry.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall shape: an introduction and overview are followed by the early stages and then the later stages. Sequencing expressions such as “Following the initial stage,” “Subsequently,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. The progression is generally coherent, though some connections are mechanical or unclear. For example, “Which is then used…” is separated from the preceding sentence, and “Once this is completed” does not specify exactly which stage has been completed. The final sentence also compresses the carbon-dioxide return and plant-growth cycle into one link. Use complete sentence connections and refer clearly to each stage to make cohesion more controlled and precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “pre-processing,” “extract cellulose,” “microbes,” and “cyclic,” which helps convey the diagram’s stages. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “culminating” and “semi-processed material.” Some choices are inaccurate or awkward for this process: “planting” is not represented, “a sugars” is not idiomatic, and “form a carbon dioxide” does not express the intended release. “Emissions” is misspelled as “emissons.” Choose precise process verbs such as “is converted into” or “is released,” and use the diagram’s labels where possible. This would improve accuracy and collocation while retaining the useful range already shown.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex structures, including the overview clause “and involves a series…” and sequencing clauses beginning “Once” and “Finally.” Meaning is usually recoverable, but some grammatical errors remain. “Which is then used…” is a sentence fragment; connect it to the preceding clause. There are article and number problems in “a sugars,” “a carbon dioxide,” “large truck,” and “a plants,” as well as missing auxiliary verbs in “these carbon dioxide released” and “then use this energy.” The opening phrase “beginning with plants grow” also needs a grammatical form such as “beginning with plant growth.” Check sentence boundaries, articles, and subject–verb agreement, while continuing to use varied sentence structures.

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