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 process diagram illustrates the stages of biofuel's production which is also known as ethanol.

Overall, the manufacturing takes place in seven different stages. The production initiates with plantations and ends with the formation of biofuel.

Firstly, the plants and trees are grown with proper uptake of energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide which are essential for their growth and productivity. The carbon dioxide is taken from the air which is released by automobiles (Car, truck, aeroplane). When the plants become ready to harvest, the process of harvesting start by the use of tractors. After cutting, the crops are sent for pre-processing.

Cellulose are separated before sending into labs and the next stage is processing. The processing takes place in factories where additives are added like sugars and microbes by professionals to make it a biofuel called ethanol. Ethanol is used in all kind of vehicles like cars, trucks, and aeroplanes which in turn release carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is used for the photosynthesis. So, this is a cyclic process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the diagram as a cyclical process and describe its main stages, including plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, processing, and the use of ethanol in transport. The overview also gives the reader a clear start and end point. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram shows cellulose becoming sugars before microbes are added, rather than sugars and microbes being additives in the factory. It also depicts carbon dioxide returning from transport to support plant growth, not simply being used for photosynthesis as a separate step. The claim that there are seven stages does not match the sequence shown. More precise reporting of the intermediate stages and the carbon cycle would make the account more complete and better supported by the visual.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a sensible sequence, moving from the overview to plant growth, harvesting, processing, and the final use of ethanol. Time and sequence markers such as “Firstly,” “After,” and “before” help guide the reader, and the final sentence recognises the cycle. Some links are less clear, however. “Cellulose are separated before sending into labs” does not clearly connect the pre-processing stage to the later production of sugars, while “So, this is a cyclic process” repeats an idea already stated without adding much. Paragraphing is limited, and several stages are compressed into one paragraph. Grouping the description into plant growth and preparation, then conversion and carbon return, would create clearer progression and more effective cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “photosynthesis,” and “carbon dioxide,” which allows the reader to follow the general subject. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “the formation of biofuel.” Some word choices and collocations are imprecise: “proper uptake of energy,” “sent for pre-processing,” and “additives are added like sugars and microbes” do not describe the diagram naturally or accurately. “Plantations” is also less suitable than “plants and trees” here. Aim for precise process verbs and avoid repeating “process” and “production”; for example, describe cellulose as being converted into sugars and microbes as being introduced at the next stage.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use both simple sentences and longer structures, including a relative clause in “which are essential for their growth” and a time clause beginning “When the plants become ready to harvest.” Meaning is generally clear, but some grammatical errors remain. In “the process of harvesting start,” the singular subject requires “starts”; “Cellulose are separated” also has incorrect subject–verb agreement. The phrase “Ethanol is used in all kind of vehicles” needs plural agreement (“kinds”), and “before sending into labs” lacks a clear subject and an appropriate passive construction. Articles and sentence boundaries also need attention, particularly in “like cars, trucks, and aeroplanes.” Proofreading agreement and completing clauses would improve accuracy while preserving your range of sentence forms.

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