Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-29

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 given plan describes the process of production of biofuel called ethanol.

Overall, there are 7 processes involved in the creation of ethanol. It is a cyclic process. The plants and trees are grown initially, then harvested and passed through many processes, the product ethanol has been created, then used within different transport sectors. The carbon dioxide emitted from different vehicles is again absorbed by plants.

Firstly, energy coming from sunlight and carbon dioxide is absorbed by woodland that has been grown firstly, then harvested and has passed through the pre-processing stage. From pre-processed plants the cellulose is extracted. The extracted material is processed with chemicals and a main ingredient sugar has been generated.

Finally, the microbes are combined with sugar and ethanol is produced. In all type of vehicles, it is used. When the ethanol is used during transportation, the automobiles emitted the carbon dioxide in the air and then plants again absorb it as a source of energy . The given steps has repeated and ethanol is produced continuously.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production process, from the growth of plants to the final use in vehicles and the recycling of carbon dioxide. The overview is clear, identifying the cyclic nature of the process. However, the description of the stages is somewhat simplistic. For instance, the transition from 'pre-processed plants' to 'cellulose' and then to 'sugar' is described in a very basic manner, lacking the technical precision expected in an Academic Task 1 response. While all key features are mentioned, the development of these points is limited, and the report could benefit from more precise sequencing and descriptive detail regarding the chemical or mechanical transformations involved.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the process. The progression of ideas is generally clear, moving from the initial growth to the final consumption and recycling. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'firstly', 'then', 'finally'). Some transitions feel forced, such as 'The given steps has repeated', which disrupts the flow. While the paragraphing is appropriate, the internal cohesion within paragraphs could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and better referencing to connect the stages of the cycle more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the sophistication required for a higher band. The student uses basic terms like 'grown', 'passed through', and 'combined'. While terms like 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'biofuel' are used correctly, the overall range is limited. There are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'the product ethanol has been created' and 'all type of vehicles', which sound slightly unnatural. To improve, the student should focus on using more precise verbs and nouns related to industrial processes, such as 'cultivated', 'extracted', 'fermented', or 'converted'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that, while not impeding communication, are noticeable. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The given steps has repeated', 'automobiles emitted the carbon dioxide') and tense inconsistencies ('grown firstly', 'has been created'). The use of articles is also occasionally inaccurate. While the student attempts complex sentences, the control over these structures is inconsistent. To reach a higher band, the student needs to focus on consistent tense usage and ensuring subject-verb agreement throughout the text.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.