Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-18

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 the industrial process of producing a biofuel called ethanol.

Overall, the production of ethanol includes eight distinct stages. The process begins with the harvesting of trees, followed by processing using various chemicals, and concludes with the formation of ethanol, which is in turn utilized by different types of vehicles. Notably, this is a cyclical process, as the carbon dioxide emitted by the vehicles is released back into the atmosphere and absorbed by growing trees.

The energy such as sunlight and carbondioxide from environment is consumed by plants and trees to grow and nourish. The initial step includes harvesting of plants and trees. Afterwards,it is pre-processed where they are broken down into cellulose. Subsequently, this cellulose is chemically processed in a laboratory to extract simple sugar molecules. Microbes are added into the sugar to produce ethanol.

In the last stage, ethanol is consumed by cars, trucks, and planes, followed by releasing carbon-dioxide in the air which is again used as an energy source by plants.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main features of the ethanol production process. The overview clearly highlights that the process is cyclical and consists of distinct stages, which is further supported in the body paragraphs. Key steps such as harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose extraction, chemical processing, adding microbes, and final consumption by vehicles releasing carbon dioxide back to plants are accurately reported. The information is grounded directly in the provided diagram without major omissions or misinterpretations. Therefore, the response fully satisfies the requirements of Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The opening paragraph introduces the diagram, followed by an overview paragraph, and subsequent paragraphs detail the sequence of stages. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, with transitional phrases like 'The initial step includes', 'Afterwards', 'Subsequently', and 'In the last stage' helping to guide the reader through the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately, dividing the overview from the sequential steps. However, minor mechanical linking could be more sophisticated to reach a higher band.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student displays an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, correctly employing terms such as 'industrial process', 'harvesting', 'pre-processed', 'cellulose', and 'microbes'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, though occasional word choice or spelling flaws occur, such as writing 'carbondioxide' as a single unspaced word and minor phrasing awkwardness like 'processing using various chemicals'. Nevertheless, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the process accurately and communication is never impeded.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and passive constructions like 'ethanol is consumed by cars'. There are several grammatical errors and punctuation issues throughout the text, such as missing spaces ('Afterwards,it'), pronoun reference confusion in 'it is pre-processed where they are broken down', and a lack of articles in places ('from environment'). Despite these errors, they rarely impede communication, and the sentence variety shows a satisfactory control of grammar for this level.

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

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