Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-31

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 schematic diagram illustrates the process of the biofuel, ethanol, production.

In general, it can be seen that the process is cyclical since ethanol need to be used to produce itself. It always starts with C02 usage in photosynthesis and ends with carbon emission from automobiles. Therefore, carbon is one of the main factor in processing ethanol. Many chemical details are used in this method also.

In the beginning of procedure, carbon dioxide is used along with sunlight for the growth of plants and trees to provide energy. During initial step of the process, harvesting takes place together with pre-processing. Afterward, cellulose obtained from the mechanical workflow get converted into sugars.

At the end of the day, those carbohydrates are then added into one solution with microbes to produce ethanol. However, in order to continue this cyclic process, ethanol are then used by vehicles such as cars, trucks and airplanes to produce more carbon dioxide that is going to be used again in the process of photosynthesis.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main stages, from plant growth and harvesting through cellulose, sugars and microbial processing to ethanol, and you correctly identify the carbon-dioxide cycle involving transport. The overview also recognises the cyclical nature of the diagram. However, the claim that “ethanol need to be used to produce itself” is inaccurate: ethanol is used by vehicles, whose emissions return to the plants, rather than directly producing more ethanol. Some stages are compressed or unclear, particularly “harvesting takes place together with pre-processing”; these are separate steps. To strengthen the response, describe the sequence more precisely and make the overview distinguish the production stages from the carbon-recycling loop.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview and two paragraphs describing the process. Sequencing expressions such as “In the beginning,” “Afterward” and “At the end” help the reader follow the stages, and the final sentence links transport emissions back to photosynthesis. Some connections are less precise, however. “During initial step … harvesting takes place together with pre-processing” blurs two distinct stages, while “However” does not express a clear contrast in the final paragraph. The overview also repeats the cycle idea without fully clarifying how the loop works. Use transitions that reflect the actual relationships and refer to each stage in order to make progression more consistently clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of process vocabulary, including “photosynthesis,” “cellulose,” “carbohydrates,” “microbes” and “cyclical,” which helps convey the diagram’s subject. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “schematic diagram” and “mechanical workflow.” Some choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this process: “ethanol … produce itself,” “one solution,” and “carbon emission from automobiles” do not describe the diagram as precisely as they could. “At the end of the day” is also conversational rather than suitable for an academic process description. Aim for precise, conventional collocations and avoid adding technical-sounding wording when the diagram does not support it.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a subordinate clause in “in order to continue this cyclic process” and a relative clause in “carbon dioxide that is going to be used again.” The meaning is generally understandable, but some agreement and verb-form errors remain. For example, “ethanol need” should be “ethanol needs,” “the main factor” should be plural after “one of,” and “ethanol are then used” should be “ethanol is then used.” In “cellulose … get converted,” the verb should agree with the singular subject (“gets converted” or “is converted”). Review subject–verb agreement and use concise passive forms where appropriate; this will improve accuracy while preserving your sentence variety.

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