Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-03

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 shows depiction of how ethanol, by-product of biofuel is produced.

Overall, figure consist of 8 stages commencing from plant and trees which needs energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide to grow, till the production of ethanol which is used by many kinds of transportation, thus creating a reversible cycle.

Therefore, sunlight and carbon dioxide play a crucial role for plants and trees development. When they become mature they are then harvested and sent for pre-processing in which they are cut down into smaller pieces to produce cellulose which contains sugar. This cellulose is sent to a factory for experimental process where they are filtered and processed.

Meanwhile, after processing glucose is manufactured in which tiny microbes are added into it to generate bio-fuel that is ethanol. This kind of bio-fuel is used by many types of transportation such as cars, heavy vehicles, and airplanes thus generating a substantial amount of carbon dioxde which is then consumed again by forests to make this cycle reversible.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all main parts of the task by outlining the cyclical process of biofuel production and carbon dioxide release. It presents a clear overview of the process, noting that it forms a reversible cycle starting with plants and trees and ending with ethanol usage. However, some aspects of the process are slightly under-developed or generalized, such as the exact mechanisms between pre-processing, cellulose, and processing. To reach a higher band, the description would need to trace every single stage of the visual data with greater precision and extended detail, fully articulating each transition without omitting minor links in the flow.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear division into introductory, overview, and body paragraphs. Information is generally ordered logically, tracking the chronological stages from plant growth to transportation and carbon dioxide absorption. Cohesive devices are employed, such as 'Overall', 'Therefore', and 'Meanwhile', though some transitional links feel slightly mechanical or awkward in context, such as starting the second body paragraph with 'Therefore'. Referencing and paragraphing are managed adequately to guide the reader through the cycle, but smoother and more varied cohesive ties would be required to achieve a higher level of fluency.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common terms such as 'reversible cycle', 'pre-processing', and 'substantial amount'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing, such as 'The diagram shows depiction of' instead of 'depicts', and 'carbon dioxde' containing a spelling error. While these minor lexical slips do not impede communication, they reflect a limited precision in word formation and collocation. To improve, the writer should focus on expanding precise topic-specific terminology and eliminating spelling mistakes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordination and relative clauses. There are some noticeable errors in grammar and punctuation, such as missing articles ('figure consist of', 'plant and trees which needs', 'experimental process where they are filtered') and slight punctuation omissions. Nevertheless, these errors rarely impede communication and the meaning remains clear throughout. A higher band would require a wider variety of error-free complex structures and a tighter control over grammatical articles and subject-verb agreement.

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

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