This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of biofuel production and how ethanol is made.

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IELTS Cambridge 19 Essay: Biofuel Production / Ethanol

The process details the method through which the biofuel ethanol is manufactured. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the process is a mixture of natural and man-made and there are three main stages. Initially, there is harvesting of the raw sources, followed by a stage of breaking down and processing the constituent elements of ethanol, and lastly the distribution of ethanol for various purposes which in turn produce CO2 to restart the process.

First, energy in the form of sunlight and carbon dioxide in plants and trees is harvested by machines. This harvest then enters a pre-processing stage which breaks larger stalks and matter down into cellulose. The cellulose is next processed chemically in order to extract sugars.

The final stages of the process involve adding microbes to the sugar to produce ethanol. The finished product is then used by cars, trucks, and airplanes. These modes of transport themselves create carbon dioxide and contribute to the cyclical production system.

Analysis

1. The process details the method through which the biofuel ethanol is manufactured. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the process is a mixture of natural and man-made and there are three main stages. 3. Initially, there is harvesting of the raw sources, followed by a stage of breaking down and processing the constituent elements of ethanol, and lastly the distribution of ethanol for various purposes which in turn produce CO2 to restart the process.

1. Paraphrase what the bar chart shows.
2. Write a clear overview summarising the differences and the overall trend.
3. This one is a little complex so it needs a second sentence for the overview.

1. First, energy in the form of sunlight and carbon dioxide in plants and trees is harvested by machines. 2. This harvest then enters a pre-processing stage which breaks larger stalks and matter down into cellulose. 3. The cellulose is next processed chemically in order to extract sugars.

1. Begin writing about the stages at the beginning.
2. Compare between each sentence.
3. Add in all the stages.

1. The final stages of the process involve adding microbes to the sugar to produce ethanol. 2. The finished product is then used by cars, trucks, and airplanes. 3. These modes of transport themselves create carbon dioxide and contribute to the cyclical production system.

1. Write about the final other parts of the process – include everything!
2. Vary long and short sentences.
3. Include all the stages – leave nothing out.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

The process details the method through which the biofuel ethanol is manufactured. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the process is a mixture of natural and man-made and there are three main stages. Initially, there is harvesting of the raw sources, followed by a stage of breaking down and processing the constituent elements of ethanol, and lastly the distribution of ethanol for various purposes which in turn produce CO2 to restart the process.

First, energy in the form of sunlight and carbon dioxide in plants and trees is harvested by machines. This harvest then enters a pre-processing stage which breaks larger stalks and matter down into cellulose. The cellulose is next processed chemically in order to extract sugars.

The final stages of the process involve adding microbes to the sugar to produce ethanol. The finished product is then used by cars, trucks, and airplanes. These modes of transport themselves create carbon dioxide and contribute to the cyclical production system.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

process: procedure, technique, approach, methodology
method through which: means by which, manner in which, way in which, approach by which
biofuel ethanol: renewable fuel ethanol, organic fuel ethanol, green fuel ethanol, sustainable fuel ethanol
manufactured: produced, fabricated, created, made

Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that: Taking a holistic view, it is evident that, Considering the bigger picture, it is clear that, Observing from a broader standpoint, it is obvious that
mixture: blend, combination, amalgamation, concoction
natural and man-made: organic and artificial, biological and synthetic, naturally occurring and human-made, innate and fabricated
Initially: Initially, To start with, At first, In the beginning
harvesting of the raw sources: collection of the raw materials, gathering of the primary sources, procurement of the natural resources, acquisition of the initial ingredients
followed by a stage of: subsequent to, after, succeeding a phase of, in the wake of
breaking down and processing the constituent elements of ethanol: decomposing and treating the elemental components of ethanol, disintegrating and refining the fundamental constituents of ethanol, breaking apart and refining the basic elements of ethanol
lastly: finally, ultimately, in conclusion, ultimately
distribution: dispersal, allocation, dissemination, delivery
for various purposes: for different objectives, for diverse uses, for multiple intentions, for a range of applications
which in turn produce CO2: resulting in the generation of CO2, leading to the production of carbon dioxide, subsequently creating carbon dioxide, causing the emission of CO2
restart the process: initiate the process again, commence the process anew, begin the process afresh, kickstart the process
in the form of: in the shape of, as, in the guise of, resembling
machines: equipment, apparatus, devices, mechanisms
pre-processing stage: preliminary stage, initial phase, preparatory phase, early stage
breaks larger stalks and matter down into cellulose: fragments bigger stems and substances into cellulose, disintegrates larger stalks and material into cellulose, decomposes larger stems and matter into cellulose, breaks apart larger stalks and material into cellulose
next processed chemically in order to extract sugars: subsequently treated chemically to extract sugars, then chemically processed to obtain sugars, afterward subjected to chemical treatment to derive sugars, later processed chemically to extract sugars
The final stages of the process involve: The concluding phases of the process encompass, The ultimate steps of the process entail, The last steps of the process comprise, The end stages of the process encompass
microbes: microorganisms, bacteria, germs, microscopic organisms
The finished product: The end result, The final outcome, The completed product, The concluding output
These modes of transport: These means of transportation, These methods of conveyance, These ways of moving, These systems of travel
contribute to the cyclical production system: add to the cyclic production system, aid in the recurring manufacturing process, contribute to the circular production system, assist in the iterative production process

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ˈprəʊsɛs

ˈmɛθəd θruː wɪʧ

ˈbaɪəʊˌfjuːəl ˈɛθənɒl

ˌmænjəˈfækʧəd

ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˌəʊvəˈrɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærᵊnt ðæt

ˈmɪksʧə

ˈnæʧᵊrᵊl ænd ˈmænˈmeɪd

ɪˈnɪʃᵊli

ˈhɑːvɪstɪŋ ɒv ðə rɔː ˈsɔːsɪz

ˈfɒləʊd baɪ ə steɪʤ ɒv

ˈbreɪkɪŋ daʊn ænd ˈprəʊsɛsɪŋ ðə kənˈstɪʧuənt ˈɛlɪmənts ɒv ˈɛθənɒl

ˈlɑːstli

ˌdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃᵊn

fɔː ˈveəriəs ˈpɜːpəsɪz

wɪʧ ɪn tɜːn ˈprɒdjuːs kəʊ2

ˌriːˈstɑːt ðə ˈprəʊsɛs

ɪn ðə fɔːm ɒv

məˈʃiːnz

priː-ˈprəʊsɛsɪŋ steɪʤ

breɪks ˈlɑːʤə stɔːks ænd ˈmætə daʊn ˈɪntuː ˈsɛljələʊs

nɛkst ˈprəʊsɛst ˈkɛmɪkᵊli ɪn ˈɔːdə tuː ɪkˈstrækt ˈʃʊɡəz

ðə ˈfaɪnᵊl ˈsteɪʤɪz ɒv ðə ˈprəʊsɛs ɪnˈvɒlv

ˈmaɪkrəʊbz

ðə ˈfɪnɪʃt ˈprɒdʌkt

ðiːz məʊdz ɒv ˈtrænspɔːt

kənˈtrɪbjuːt tuː ðə ˈsɪklɪkᵊl prəˈdʌkʃᵊn ˈsɪstəm

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

The p_____s details the m________________h the b______________l is m_________________d. L____________________________________________________t the process is a m_______e of n__________________e and there are three main stages. I_________y, there is h________________s, f___________________________________________________________________________l, and l______y the d____________n of ethanol f__________________s w___________________________2 to r_______________s.

First, energy in the form of sunlight and carbon dioxide in plants and trees is harvested by m____________s. This harvest then enters a pre-processing stage which b______________________________________________e. The cellulose is n_________________________y i___________o e______________s.

T___________________________________e adding m_________s to the sugar to produce ethanol. T__________________________t is then used by cars, trucks, and airplanes. T________________________t themselves create carbon dioxide and c__________________________________________m.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.offshore-technology.com/comment/history-oil-gas/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Describe a car journey that you went on.

You should say:

Where you went

What you did there

Who you went on the journey with

And say how you felt about the journey

Transport & Driving (IELTS Speaking Part 3)

Question 1: What is the most common mode of transport in your city, and why do people prefer it?

Question 2: Do you think people should be encouraged to use public transport more? Why or why not?

Question 3: Have you ever experienced a serious traffic jam? How did it affect your mood and daily routine?

Question 4: What do you think are the pros and cons of driving a car instead of using public transport?

Question 5: Would you consider buying an electric car in the future? Why or why not?

Question 6: Are there any traffic laws in your country that you think should be changed or improved? If so, which ones and why?

Question 7: Do you think that the government should invest more in public transport systems?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic:

IELTS Task 1 Process: Tea