Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-23

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 delineates the process of generating a biofuel, termed ethanol.

Overall, it is a man-made as well as dominantly mechanical procedure. Moreover, the operation is lengthy but linear, consisting of more than 6 steps. Furthermore, it begins with the intake of energy by the vegetation, and culminates at the production of ethanol.

To initiate with, sunlight and carbon dioxide are consumed as a power source by the greenery, which is later harvested utilising a harvester. Subsequently, these picked up crops are put into a pre-processing machine to transform it into small pieces, before proceeding further with a component named cellulose within them. In the next step, the same compound is processed.

In addition, sugars are obtained as an output of processing. Sequentially, ethanol is the end product after the addition of microbes into the sucrose molecules. Consequently, the fuel is consumed by various automobiles, leaving carbon footprints in the enironment. In the end, the same emissions can be used by plants and trees along with sun-rays.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully reports the main features of the ethanol production process diagram, outlining the key stages from plant growth and harvesting to processing, the addition of microbes, and the final consumption and carbon dioxide release. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, correctly noting the linear and cyclic nature of the process. However, some minor details are slightly misinterpreted or awkwardly described, such as stating the process is 'man-made as well as dominantly mechanical' and characterising the carbon cycle emissions as 'leaving carbon footprints in the enironment'. Despite these minor flaws, all parts of the prompt are addressed adequately, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.5 to 7.0 range. Awarded 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is logically organised and progresses clearly from the beginning of the process to the end, adhering to a standard introduction, body, and conclusion paragraph structure. Cohesive devices such as 'To initiate with', 'Subsequently', 'In the next step', and 'In addition' are used to guide the reader through the stages of the diagram, though some transitions feel slightly mechanical ('To initiate with', 'In addition'). Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and body details. Referencing is generally clear, ensuring the information flows reasonably well throughout the text. Awarded 6.5.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, attempting less common lexical items such as 'delineates', 'dominantly mechanical', and 'culminates'. However, there are some noticeable word-choice inaccuracies and awkward phrasing, such as 'picked up crops' instead of harvested crops, and a spelling error in 'enironment'. While the vocabulary allows the message to be communicated effectively, the occasional imprecise collocation and lexical slips prevent the response from achieving a higher band. Awarded 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'which is later harvested utilising a harvester', 'before proceeding further with a component named cellulose within them'). Grammatical control is generally good, with many error-free sentences, though minor structural awkwardness appears occasionally, such as 'transform it' where 'transform them' would better agree with 'small pieces'. Punctuation is accurate and does not impede communication. Awarded 7.0.

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.