Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-01

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 diagram elaborates the production of biofuel: explaining how ethanol is made. There are many steps involved in this process, all in a chronological order, which result in the end product ethanol used widely in the transport industry as a fuel for cars, trucks and airplanes.

First of all, the combination of sunlight and carbon dioxide provides energy, and plants and trees grow utilizing it. Afterwards, these grown plants and trees are harvested and then forwarded for the pre-processing phase converting them into raw cellulose. Later, this cellulose is passed through a proper processing phase, and as a result, it is modified into sugars. Lastly, microbes are introduced into sugars, which eventually brings ethanol as the final product.

Ethanol is then consumed in transport industry, as fuel for various vehicles like cars, trucks, and airplanes, which emit carbon dioxide from engines. This carbon dioxide later enters the atmosphere, and it combines again with the sunlight to produce a form of energy. This way, the cycle continues again, and ethanol is produced.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all stages of the biofuel production cycle as shown in the diagram. You have successfully identified the main features, including the growth of plants, the processing stages, and the final consumption of ethanol. However, the report lacks a clear 'overview' paragraph, which is a requirement for a high band score in Task 1. An overview should summarise the most significant trends or the cyclical nature of the process without detailing every step. While the information is accurate, the lack of a distinct summary of the overall process limits the development of the response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organised, following the chronological order of the diagram. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the production process from the consumption and recycling phase. Cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'Afterwards', 'Later', and 'Lastly' are used to guide the reader through the steps. However, the transition between the production phase and the consumption phase could be smoother. The use of referencing is generally clear, though some sentences feel slightly mechanical due to the repetitive structure of the cohesive markers used.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'chronological order', 'pre-processing', 'modified', and 'emitted'. The terminology is relevant to the topic. However, there is a lack of more sophisticated or precise collocations that would elevate the response to a higher band. Some phrasing, such as 'brings ethanol as the final product', is slightly unnatural. Expanding your range to include more academic synonyms for 'made' or 'passed through' would improve the lexical quality.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and easy to follow, and errors are infrequent. You have used passive voice effectively in places, such as 'ethanol is produced' and 'plants and trees are harvested', which is appropriate for a process description. There are minor issues with article usage and prepositional phrasing (e.g., 'in transport industry' should be 'in the transport industry'). Overall, the grammar is controlled and does not impede communication.

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

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