Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-26

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 given diagram illustrates the process of production of a biofuel known as ethanol.

Overall, the production of ethanol is a continuous cycle with distinct physical and chemical steps. Beginning with pre-processing of cut trees and various chemical steps to produce ethanol which is then consumed by different transportation devices that then release co2 in the air which in turn gets utilized by plants and the cycle starts again.

Plants and trees use the sunlight and carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere to grow. These grown trees are cut down and are transported to the factory where they undergo pre-processing to form a molecule called cellulose. This cellulose is then treated with various chemical steps and processed to form chains of sugars.

These long chains of sugars are treated chemically again with a number of small microbes and due to addition of these to the sugars, ethanol is made. Ethanol is utilized as a fuel in various modes of transportation like cars, trucks and airplanes which in turn releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is then used by plants and trees to grow and the cycle starts again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all main stages of the biofuel production diagram, from sunlight and plant growth through pre-processing, cellulose creation, sugar processing, and the addition of microbes to yield ethanol. An overview is successfully provided in the second sentence, noting that 'the production of ethanol is a continuous cycle with distinct physical and chemical steps.' Key features and the cyclical nature of carbon dioxide release and re-absorption by plants are accurately reported without introducing irrelevant personal opinions. The progression through the steps is clearly tracked and aligns fully with the visual prompt. Consequently, this response satisfies the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is divided adequately into an introduction with an overall summary, followed by body paragraphs detailing the stages chronologically. Cohesive devices such as 'Beginning with', 'These grown trees', 'This cellulose', and 'These long chains of sugars' are used to connect ideas smoothly. Paragraphing is handled appropriately, dividing the process into manageable descriptive chunks. Although referencing is generally clear, the second sentence is a run-on sentence that makes the introduction slightly heavy. Overall, cohesion is managed effectively to earn a Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating process-specific terms such as 'pre-processing', 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'transportation devices'. Less common items like 'continuous cycle' and 'atmosphere' demonstrate an awareness of style. However, there are occasional awkward phrasings, such as 'production of production of a biofuel' (corrected to 'production of a biofuel') and slight repetition of words like 'chemical steps' and 'treated'. Spelling and word choice remain generally accurate and do not impede communication. This performance aligns comfortably with the criteria for Band 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using relative clauses ('which is then consumed by...') and participial phrases effectively. There are some grammatical slips, notably the extremely long, comma-spliced second sentence in the introduction: 'Beginning with pre-processing of cut trees and various chemical steps to produce ethanol which is then consumed by different transportation devices that then release co2 in the air which in turn gets utilized by plants and the cycle starts again.' Other sentences, however, show good control, and punctuation is mostly functional. Because errors persist in complex sentences without completely obscuring meaning, a Band 6.0 is awarded.

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

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