Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-21

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 depicts how a biofuel know as ethanol is made.

Overall, there are several stages, starting from energy enters to plants then it underwent significant processes and ethanol is produced. The ethanol is then emitted by different vehicles and enters to plants again and the process continues again and again.

Initially, sunlight with carbon dioxide enters to plants. After that, plants are grown and then harvested through a tractor. Further, they are pre-processed in a machine. Consequently, cellulose is seperated from the plants, which is then processed in a factory. As a result, sugars are created and they are added with microbes (the shape of the microbes is like a peanut). Eventually, ethanol is produced.

After making ethanol, they are fueled to different vehicles such as jet, lorry and car. When distinct vehicles start transportation they release carbon dioxide in air. Then it is again mixed with sunlight and create energy, which is again enter to plants. Thus the process continues simultaneously.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all stages of the ethanol production process, from the initial growth of plants to the final combustion in vehicles. The main features are identified, and the cyclical nature of the process is noted. However, the description is somewhat simplistic. For instance, the mention of 'the shape of the microbes is like a peanut' is unnecessary detail that does not contribute to a professional summary of the process. To reach a higher band, focus on more precise technical descriptions of the stages (e.g., 'fermentation' instead of 'sugars are added with microbes') and ensure the overview highlights the key transformation steps more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'After that', 'Further', and 'Consequently' are used to guide the reader through the stages. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical or repetitive, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'the ethanol is then emitted by different vehicles and enters to plants again'. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between the production and consumption phases would enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe the process clearly. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'cellulose' and 'simultaneously'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'energy enters to plants' instead of 'energy is absorbed by plants' and 'they are fueled to different vehicles' instead of 'the ethanol is used as fuel for vehicles'. Spelling errors like 'seperated' also occur. To improve, focus on using more precise scientific terminology and checking common collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with prepositions and verb forms, such as 'enters to plants', 'is seperated', and 'they are fueled'. Some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'starting from energy enters to plants then it underwent'. While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a lack of control over complex structures. Increasing the frequency of error-free sentences and refining the use of passive voice—which is essential for process descriptions—would help raise the score.

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

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