Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-17

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 the process of producing Ethanol biofuel from growing plants and trees along with how the carbon dioxide is released in the air.

Overall, ethanol production is a cycling process consisting of several steps, beginning with growth of plants and trees, ending with ethanol used as fuel in vehicles.

Initially, trees and plants grow by sunlight and carbon dioxide which is released from consumption of fuel from vehicles. Then trees and plants are harvested by the farmers with the help of a tractor. After that, harvested plants and trees go for pre-processing, and this produces cellulose. Then cellulose undergoes a laboratory process where various chemicals are added to produce sugar.

In the next stage, microbes are added in the sugar which result in production of ethanol. The ethanol can subsequently be used as a fuel for car, truck and flight. During use of these vehicles, carbon dioxide is released in the atmosphere.

Finally, released carbon dioxide used in growing plants and trees together with sunlight, producing energy used for further plantations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the ethanol production cycle. You have clearly outlined the process from the growth of plants to the final combustion in vehicles and the subsequent recycling of carbon dioxide. The overview is effective in summarising the cyclical nature of the process. However, to reach a higher band, you could improve the detail by explicitly mentioning the specific inputs and outputs at each stage, such as the role of sunlight or the specific transformation of cellulose into sugar. The description is accurate, but it lacks a slightly more analytical tone required for a high-scoring Academic Task 1 response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Then', 'After that', and 'Finally' helps the reader follow the sequence of the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the cycle. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that the connection between the final stage and the beginning of the cycle is more explicitly linked to show the 'closed-loop' nature of the process.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including terms like 'harvested', 'pre-processing', 'cellulose', and 'microbes'. The language is generally precise and appropriate for the task. There are a few minor issues with collocation, such as 'released in the air' (should be 'released into the air') and 'added in the sugar' (should be 'added to the sugar'). To achieve a higher band, aim to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'conversion', 'fermentation', or 'by-product', to demonstrate a more flexible and precise command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies. For example, 'growth of plants' should be 'the growth of plants', and 'used as a fuel for car, truck and flight' should be pluralised ('cars, trucks and flights'). Additionally, the final sentence is a fragment ('Finally, released carbon dioxide used in growing plants...'), which lacks a main verb. To improve, focus on article usage and ensuring every sentence has a clear subject and a finite verb. Increasing the variety of complex sentence structures would also help elevate your score.

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

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