Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-09

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)

Ethanol is an organic chemical compound. The diagram below illustrates how a biofuel called ethanol is produced.

Overall, the production of ethanol is a cyclical process that involves some steps namely harvestation, pre-processing, cellulose production, processing, sugar production, and addition of microbes. The end product is ethanol and carbondioxide is also produced as a by product.

Firstly, energy in the form of sunlight and carbondioxide is given to the plants and trees so they can grow efficiently. Then plants and trees are harvested which are then undergone a process called pre-processing. After, they are pre-processed the product that is produced is called cellulose. Cellulose is then undergone a method called processing. It is contained in different bottles and containers. The processing of cellulose produces sugars then the microbes are added and that is how ethanol is produced. After ethanol is produced the carbondioxide is also produced as a by product then transferred back to plants and trees to grow efficiently using car, truck and plane.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the process as cyclical and include its main stages, from plant growth and harvesting through processing, sugars, microbes and ethanol. You also note the return of carbon dioxide to the plants, which is an important feature of the diagram. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram shows carbon dioxide released when ethanol is used by transport, not simply as a by-product transferred back “using car, truck and plane.” The statement that cellulose is “contained in different bottles and containers” is not supported by the visual. The overview could also describe the cycle more precisely, including ethanol’s use as fuel in three forms of transport. These omissions and unclear details limit how fully the key features are reported.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall sequence, with an introduction, an overview and a chronological account of the stages. Linking words such as “Firstly,” “Then” and “After” help the reader follow the process. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical, and the final sentence combines several separate events in a way that makes their relationships unclear: carbon dioxide is said to be “transferred back” using the vehicles. The reference in “they are then undergone a process” is also difficult to follow. Organise the body into clearer stages and use more precise links to show what happens next and what causes the carbon dioxide release. This would make the progression smoother and the connections between steps clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “processing” and “microbes,” and the reader can generally understand the stages. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “harvestation,” “cellulose production” and “plants and trees … grow efficiently.” “Carbondioxide” is also repeatedly misspelled as one word, and “by product” should be written as “by-product.” The unsupported phrase “contained in different bottles and containers” further weakens precision. Aim for accurate, natural terms for the diagram’s stages and outputs, and avoid adding descriptions that are not shown. Greater control of spelling and collocation would make the account more precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including clauses linked with “which” and “so,” and the main sequence is usually understandable. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly in passive constructions and sentence structure. For example, “plants and trees are harvested which are then undergone a process” uses an incorrect passive pattern; write that they “then undergo pre-processing.” Similarly, “Cellulose is then undergone a method” should be recast as “Cellulose then undergoes processing.” The sentence beginning “After, they are pre-processed” has an unnecessary comma and an awkward clause structure. Work on choosing the correct active or passive form and punctuating introductory clauses; this will improve accuracy while preserving your attempts at complex sentences.

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