Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-09

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 diagram illustrates how biofuel known as ethanol is been manufactured for day to day use.

Overall, it is a process diagram that is cyclical. It involves about eight steps. Beginning from the energy released by the combination of sunlight and carbon dioxide, and ending in vehicles releasing the carbon dioxide produced.

To begin with, sunlight combines with carbon dioxide to produce energy, which helps the plants and trees to grow. Furthermore, the plants and trees are harvested and then go through pre-processing phase where they are processed via machines. After that, cellulose is formed which later goes through processing in the laboratory to form sugars.

Furthermore, microbes are added to the sugar which produces ethanol. Ethanol is therefore used for transportation by airplanes, lorries, and cars. When these vehicles are used for transportation there is further release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which continues to combine with sunlight to produce energy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production process, from the initial energy source to the final consumption and carbon release. However, the description is somewhat simplistic. While you identify the key steps, the report lacks a clear 'overview' of the process's nature beyond stating it is 'cyclical'. To reach a higher band, you should focus on highlighting the most significant features, such as the transformation of raw plant material into chemical sugars and the subsequent fermentation. The explanation of the pre-processing and laboratory stages is a bit vague, missing the opportunity to describe the technical progression more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. You use basic cohesive devices like 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', and 'After that' to link ideas. However, the flow is somewhat mechanical. The transition between the laboratory stage and the final transportation stage could be smoother. Additionally, the referencing is occasionally repetitive. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that the progression between steps feels more integrated rather than just a list of sequential actions.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the process clearly. You use relevant technical terms such as 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'fermentation' (though you used 'produce ethanol' instead of 'fermentation'). There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'day to day use' which is slightly informal for an academic report. To achieve a higher score, incorporate more precise academic collocations and avoid repetitive phrasing. Your range is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'ethanol is been manufactured' (should be 'is manufactured' or 'is being manufactured') and 'there is further release' (which is slightly awkward). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on passive voice consistency, which is essential for process descriptions, and ensure subject-verb agreement is accurate throughout the text.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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