Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-26

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 6.0)

The illustration displays a production process of biofuel which is called ethanol.

Overall, it is evident that, ethanol production consists of several stages. It starts from energy and through maintaining some steps ends with ethanol production.

In the initial stage, trees are planted and given time to grow and it absorbs energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide. After being harvested, plants and trees are made ready for pre- processing. Then, pre-processing is done properly to get the cellulose and is sent to be processed perfectly. After processed, sugars are produced from the cellulose.

In the subsequent stage, microbes are added with sugars to get the perfect the biofuel which is known as ethanol. Finally, ethanol is used in different purposes like: cars, trucks and airplanes which work as a carbon dioxide and help them to start their journey.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the description of the process. While the main stages are identified, the explanation is quite superficial. For instance, the transition from 'cellulose' to 'sugars' is mentioned, but the role of 'pre-processing' and the specific chemical or mechanical steps are not detailed enough to provide a comprehensive summary. The conclusion regarding the use of ethanol in vehicles is slightly inaccurate based on the diagram, as the diagram shows ethanol being used as fuel, not acting as carbon dioxide. To improve, you must expand on the details provided in the diagram to meet the length requirement and ensure accuracy.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of the process. You use some basic cohesive devices such as 'In the initial stage', 'Then', and 'In the subsequent stage' to link ideas. However, the flow is somewhat mechanical, and the connection between sentences could be smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate for a process description, but the lack of depth in the content makes the overall structure feel underdeveloped. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, well-developed focus.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, but it is quite repetitive and lacks the precision required for a higher score. Phrases like 'made ready for pre-processing' and 'processed perfectly' are somewhat vague and do not demonstrate a sophisticated range of vocabulary. There is also a slight misuse of terminology, such as stating that ethanol 'work as a carbon dioxide', which is factually incorrect in the context of the diagram. To improve, try to incorporate more specific technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'fermentation', 'conversion', or 'breakdown'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'ethanol production consists of several stages' (missing article) and 'ethanol is used in different purposes' (incorrect preposition). Additionally, the sentence 'microbes are added with sugars to get the perfect the biofuel' contains a redundant 'the'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to affect the overall fluency. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage will help improve your accuracy.

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