Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 shows how ethanol is produced from plants and trees. It also shows the role of carbon dioxide in this process.

Overall, the process have many stages and it is a circular process. It starts with growing plants and finish when ethanol is used by different vehicles. Carbon dioxide is produced by vehicles and then it is used again for growing plants.

First, plants and trees grows with the help of sunlight and carbon dioxide. When they are ready, they are harvest by machines. After this, the plants go to pre-processing where they changed into cellulose. The cellulose is then taken to processing stage and it become sugars.

Next, microbes are added to the sugars and ethanol is produced. The ethanol can then used by different transport, including cars, trucks and airplanes. When these vehicles uses ethanol, carbon dioxide are produced and released. This carbon dioxide goes back to the plants and help them to grow. Also, some carbon dioxide is shown from the processing stages. In this way, the process can continue again and again.

Overall, ethanol production is a long process with many different stages before it become useful as a fuel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the ethanol production process and highlights the cyclical nature of the carbon dioxide flow. You have covered all key steps, from the growth of plants to the final use of fuel. However, the description is somewhat repetitive, particularly in the final paragraph, which adds little new information. To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview clearly synthesises the most significant features rather than just listing them. The inclusion of the carbon dioxide cycle is a positive feature that demonstrates a good understanding of the diagram's overall message.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organised into clear paragraphs, each focusing on a specific stage of the process. The use of linking words such as 'First', 'Next', and 'After this' helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the cohesion is sometimes mechanical, and the referencing could be more varied. For instance, the transition between the processing stage and the final use of ethanol is functional but could be smoother. The overall progression is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for a process description.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'microbes', 'cellulose', and 'pre-processing'. However, there is a lack of variety in your verbs and descriptors. You rely heavily on basic verbs like 'go', 'changed', and 'become'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'converted', 'transformed', 'facilitated', or 'emitted'. While your word choice is generally accurate and does not impede communication, it lacks the sophistication required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There are several recurring grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly regarding subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'plants and trees grows', 'they are harvest', 'vehicles uses', 'carbon dioxide are produced'). These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable. While you attempt some complex structures, they are often marred by these basic slips. To improve, focus on ensuring that your verbs agree with their subjects and that passive voice constructions are formed correctly (e.g., 'they are harvested'). A more careful proofreading of your work would help eliminate these avoidable mistakes.

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