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 pictorial representation demonstrates the data related to the process involved in the production of ethanol.

Overall, several crucial steps are involved in the production of ethanol. Moreover, the cycle starts when plants grow with the help of sunlight and carbon dioxide but never ends. This means that at the end when carbon dioxide comes out from vehicles trees use them as a source of energy.

Initially, the process begins when trees use energy (sunlight and carbon dioxide) for proper growth and secondly they get harvested by people through machinery. Moreover, with the pre - processing of plants they get converted into cellulose and then further processing took place. Afterwards, sugar as a bioproduct get formed and with the help of several microbes it finally get converted into ethanol. Furthermore, it is used to run vehicles then transports release carbon dioxide which is used by plants as a source of energy and this cycle continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully identifies the main purpose of the diagram, which illustrates how ethanol is produced through a cyclic process involving plants, harvesting, processing, and transportation. The overview captures the continuous nature of the cycle well, noting that carbon dioxide is reabsorbed by plants. Key stages such as growth, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose conversion, sugar formation, and the addition of microbes are correctly reported in sequential order. However, the description remains somewhat general and could benefit from a bit more specific detail regarding the transition from sugars to ethanol and its ultimate distribution. Overall, all parts of the task are addressed adequately, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is arranged logically with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and a chronological body paragraph detailing the steps of the process. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the stages, using sequencing words such as 'Initially', 'Afterwards', and 'Furthermore'. However, some of the referencing and mechanical transitions feel a bit repetitive or slightly awkward, such as 'Moreover' appearing multiple times. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and body, maintaining a coherent overall arrangement that warrants a Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a process, incorporating terms such as 'pictorial representation', 'bioproduct', 'microbes', and 'cellulose'. While there are attempts to use less common vocabulary, word choices and collocations occasionally show minor inaccuracies, such as 'transports release carbon dioxide' instead of 'transportation' or 'transport vehicles'. Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication. This performance aligns comfortably with the descriptors for Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms to recount the stages of the diagram, including dependent clauses and passive constructions like 'sugar as a bioproduct get formed'. There are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as singular/plural mismatches ('trees use them' and 'it finally get converted'), as well as minor punctuation issues. Despite these errors, the complex structures attempted do not impede comprehension, and the overall grammatical control corresponds to a Band 6.0.

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