Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-08

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 illustrates the process through which biofuel called ethanol is produced. This process involves several steps beginning with the plantation of sugar cane plants and ending with the emission of carbon dioxide from vehicles and airplanes into the atmosphere.

In the first step, plantation of sugar cane plants take place which then grow up by consuming the energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide. In the second step, when the crop is ripe farmers harvest it. In the third step, these plants passes through pre-processing machines which transform it into cellulose.

In the fourth step, cellulose is processed with the help of chemicals which transforms it into sugars. And in the fifth step, microbes are added into sugars which turn them into ethanol with the help of fermentation.

In the final step, ethanol is mixed petrol so that it can be used in automobile vehicles like cars and trucks. And then these vehicles release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere then this carbon dioxide is used by plants to grow.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all stages of the process, from the initial plantation to the final emission. The overview is clear, and the main features are identified. However, the response lacks a more analytical approach; it reads more like a list of steps rather than a cohesive summary. To reach a higher band, you should group related stages (e.g., the growth phase, the chemical processing phase, and the final application) to better highlight the cyclical nature of the process. The description is accurate, but it could benefit from more precise terminology regarding the transformation of materials.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, each representing a distinct stage of the process. The use of sequencing markers like 'In the first step' and 'In the final step' provides a clear structure. However, the reliance on these markers is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. To improve, try using a wider variety of cohesive devices and transition phrases to link sentences more fluidly. For example, instead of starting every paragraph with 'In the [x] step', you could use participial phrases or relative clauses to connect the stages more naturally.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with terms like 'fermentation', 'greenhouse gases', and 'cellulose' used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is repetition of basic verbs like 'transform' and 'turn'. To achieve a higher score, incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'convert', 'synthesize', 'yield', or 'subsequently'. The word choice is generally accurate, but it lacks the sophistication and variety required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentences. There are several subject-verb agreement errors that detract from the overall accuracy, such as 'plantation of sugar cane plants take place' (should be 'takes place') and 'these plants passes' (should be 'pass'). Additionally, the phrase 'ethanol is mixed petrol' is missing a preposition ('with'). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on proofreading for basic grammatical concord and ensuring prepositions are used correctly in technical descriptions.

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

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