Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-31

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 6.0)

The figure illustrates how ethyl alcohol is synthesized. Ethanol produced by microbes is used in automobiles which in turn is converted into carbon dioxide gas. This gas is utilized by plants along with sunlight. These plants are harvested by humans and after pre-processing it is transformed into cellulose which again is processed into sugars. After that these sugars become alcohol called ethanol by the addition of microbes. This diagram demonstrates a cycle of production of ethanol. Engines of travel machines use ethanol as a source of energy while plants utilize carbon dioxide gas as a source of energy. After processing these plants are converted into cellulose which is a polysaccharide which is used by humans as a source of energy. On the other hand sugars are also used by microorganisms as a source of energy. Hence, we can clearly reflect that it's a energy cycle that the given diagram depicts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response attempts to describe the process but fails to accurately reflect the information provided in the diagram. The description is confusing and contains factual inaccuracies, such as stating that plants are converted into cellulose by humans, whereas the diagram shows plants being harvested and then processed. The explanation of the cycle is somewhat disjointed and lacks a clear, logical summary of the main features. While the response covers the general topic, it struggles to present the information in a clear, objective manner suitable for an Academic Task 1 report. The focus is more on a narrative of the cycle rather than a structured summary of the stages shown in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is divided into two paragraphs, but the logical flow is weak. The transition between the description of the process and the summary of the cycle is abrupt. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'after that' and 'on the other hand', but they are sometimes used incorrectly or in a way that does not enhance the clarity of the argument. The referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of the production process. The overall structure lacks the precision required for a high-scoring report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, with phrases like 'source of energy' used multiple times. While there is an attempt to use technical terms like 'synthesized', 'microbes', and 'polysaccharide', the word choice is occasionally imprecise or inaccurate in context. For instance, referring to vehicles as 'travel machines' is unnatural. The range of vocabulary is adequate to convey the basic meaning, but it lacks the sophistication and precision expected at higher band levels. Spelling is generally accurate, but the overall lexical control is limited.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'it's a energy cycle' (should be 'an energy cycle') and issues with article usage and subject-verb agreement. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to be noticeable. The control over complex structures is inconsistent, and the punctuation is generally functional but basic. To improve, the student should focus on sentence variety and ensuring that articles and prepositions are used correctly.

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