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)

The diagram illustrates the process of how ethanol is produced from biofuels

Overall, the production of ethanol is shown in a linear process starting from harvesting of plants, processed chemically, the uses of energy, and ending with the release of carbon to the atmosphere.

The process begins with the plantation of trees and their growth in which they get their energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide. The trees are then harvested before going through the pre-processing where it is transitioned to a cellulose.

Subsequently, the cellulose will undergo a second time process where it is changed into sugar, followed by microbes, and eventually an ethanol. These ethanols are then put into use as a form of energy, specifically used for different modes of transport such as; car, trucks, and a plane. As the vehicles are used, carbon dioxide are emitted to the atmosphere, and this process will continue to repeat with it being the primary energy in the production of ethanol.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main stages from plant growth and harvesting through processing, fermentation and transport use, and you correctly identify sunlight and carbon dioxide as inputs and carbon dioxide as part of the cycle. However, the overview calls the process “linear,” although the diagram’s key feature is its circular cycle: emissions from transport return to support plant growth. The description also says the process ends with carbon release, which misses this return loop. Some stages are compressed or unclear, particularly the conversion of cellulose into sugars and the addition of microbes before ethanol is produced. To strengthen the response, make the cycle explicit in the overview and describe the sequence and carbon-dioxide loop more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and then a chronological account of the stages. Sequencing expressions such as “The process begins,” “Subsequently,” and “eventually” help the reader follow the production stages. The progression is generally coherent, but the overview’s description of a “linear process” conflicts with the later statement that the process repeats, weakening the connection between the main summary and the details. Some links are also imprecise, as in “followed by microbes,” which does not clearly show that microbes are added before ethanol is formed. To move further, make the cycle the organising idea throughout and use clearer references between each stage.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “harvested,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “microbes,” and “emitted,” which allows you to describe the diagram’s main stages. Some less precise or unnatural choices limit clarity: “plantation of trees” is not the same as plants and trees growing, “transitioned to a cellulose” is awkward, and “primary energy” does not clearly describe carbon dioxide’s role in the cycle. There are also word-form and collocation issues, such as “a second time process” and “put into use as a form of energy.” Aim for accurate process collocations and distinguish the fuel, ethanol, from the energy inputs and emissions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including clauses beginning “in which” and “As the vehicles are used,” and the overall meaning is usually understandable. Some grammatical errors remain. For example, “the production … starting from harvesting … processed chemically” has an incomplete and uneven structure, while “carbon dioxide are emitted” has subject–verb disagreement. Articles and number are also inconsistent in “an ethanol” and “These ethanols,” and the semicolon in “such as; car” is not appropriate. Review agreement, articles, and singular/plural forms, and make sure each sentence has a clear grammatical structure. More accurate control of these patterns would make the process description easier to read.

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