Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-22

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 creation of the environmental fuel known as ethanol across various stages.

Overall, ethanol is formed via a continuous cycle that starts with itself.

There are several stages within the process that involves the environment, manual labour, machinery and external ingredients as well as carbon emissions.

Initially, ethanol is used to fuel different transport methods including cars, trucks and airplanes which in turn release carbon dioxide into the environment. This is then turned into energy which fuels the development of trees and plants alongside the sun.

Once these are matured, they are cultivated by farmers using tractors and machinery.

At stage five, the harvested produce ihas already been made smaller and is placed in a machine for pre-processing. The result from this is cellulose which is used at larger factories that process and create sugar. These sugars then merge with microbes that are added at the ultimate stage before ethanol is created enabling the process to reoccur.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to describe the circular biofuel production process, but misinterprets a fundamental aspect of the diagram: stating that 'ethanol is formed via a continuous cycle that starts with itself' and that ethanol is used to fuel transport before it is even created. While the stages from plant growth through harvesting, pre-processing, and processing into sugars are correctly identified, the flawed logical sequence and misunderstanding of the flow prevent the response from fully addressing the task requirements. The overview lacks a clear summary of the main steps in the correct direction. Therefore, this performance aligns with Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is divided into logical paragraphs with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that follow the physical layout of the diagram step-by-step. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Once these are matured', and 'At stage five' are used to guide the reader through the sequence. However, referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly with pronouns like 'This' referring to carbon dioxide emissions feeding the sun and plants. Paragraphing is adequate, but the overall progression is somewhat compromised by the misinterpretation of the cycle's starting point. This places the response firmly in Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing terms such as 'environmental fuel', 'cultivated', 'pre-processing', and 'cellulose'. There are some minor lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasing, such as 'transport methods' instead of 'forms of transport' and a minor typographical error ('ihas' instead of 'is'). Less common vocabulary is attempted with moderate success, but word choice occasionally lacks precision. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to communicate the main ideas without major impedance, matching the Band 6.0 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and passive constructions like 'ethanol is used to fuel' and 'microbes that are added'. Control over grammar and punctuation is generally acceptable, though there are occasional errors such as the typographical slip 'ihas already been made smaller' and slight awkwardness in clause coordination. The errors present do not impede overall communication. The grammatical range and accuracy are consistent with a Band 6.0 score.

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.