Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-07

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 illustrates how ethanol is manufactured. This process includes eight steps.

Overall, the production of ethanol starts with the harvesting of trees which trap sunlight and carbon dioxide directly from the sun and this procedure ends at the production of ethanol.

First of all, trees gain energy from the sun in the form of sunlight and carbon dioxide. After this, these trees are then harvested by a machine and go through pre-processing where the cellulose is extracted, the cellulose then passes through the processing. In this step, different chemicals are used to obtain sugars.

After these initial steps, microbes are added to sugars which are then converted to ethanol, which is the last step. The obtained ethanol is used in various types of transportation that release carbon dioxide. The released carbon dioxide binds again with sunlight and is used by the trees. These are the steps involved in the manufacturing of a renewable fuel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production process, but it lacks sufficient detail and analytical depth. While you identify the key steps, the description is somewhat superficial. For instance, the transition from 'pre-processing' to 'processing' is vague, and you miss the opportunity to describe the specific inputs and outputs (such as the role of enzymes or the fermentation stage) clearly. To achieve a higher band, you should focus on grouping the information more logically and ensuring that the relationship between the stages is clearly explained. The overview is present but could be more comprehensive by highlighting the cyclical nature of the process more effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into a logical sequence, moving from the start of the process to the end. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'After this', and 'After these initial steps' to guide the reader. However, the paragraphing is underdeveloped; the response would benefit from a clearer separation between the introduction/overview and the body paragraphs. The flow between sentences is generally smooth, but the reliance on simple transition words makes the cohesion feel somewhat mechanical rather than sophisticated. Improving the variety of linking phrases would enhance the overall flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'manufactured', 'harvested', 'cellulose', and 'renewable fuel' correctly. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the use of 'steps' and 'trees'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise, topic-specific terminology related to industrial processes (e.g., 'fermentation', 'conversion', 'by-products'). There are no significant spelling errors, and the word choices are generally accurate, though they lack the sophistication required for a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While most sentences are grammatically correct, there is a lack of variety in the sentence patterns. For example, many sentences follow a similar subject-verb-object structure. There are no major errors that impede communication, but the control over complex structures is limited. To improve, try to incorporate more varied subordinating conjunctions or passive voice constructions, which are particularly useful when describing industrial processes, such as 'The cellulose is then subjected to chemical treatment to extract sugars.'

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.