Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-11

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 circular production stages of ethanol.

The process involves distinct steps from harvesting plants to thier pre-processing and processing along with the use of microbes in order to produce ethanol. The produced ethanol act as a fuel intransporation industry and emmits a gas. This gas acts as a precursor to initialize the cycle of production again.

In the first step, plants and trees use energy in the form of sunlight and carbon dioxide, which is required for their growth. These crops are then harvested by an expert or usually a farmer. The harvested plants further undergo pre-processing to produce seeds. These seeds are essential as they make cellulose as a product in the next stage. Cellulose then passes through processing step, which utlilizes various chemicals.

In the upcoming step, sugar is produced from the previous processing step. Microbes are then added in the penultimate step that use sugar in order to produce ethanol. It acts as a biofuel since its produced from plant and microbes. Ethanol produced with the help of microbes are further used in cars, trucks, and aeroplanes as a fuel. These vehicles generate carbon dioxide as a by product, which is released in the environment and again used by plants for thier growth. Then the cycle again begins with the same steps as above.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.0
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.0
Overall6.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You give a relevant account of the cycle and include its main stages, from plant growth and harvesting through processing, sugar production, and the addition of microbes to make ethanol. You also identify the return of carbon dioxide from transport to plant growth, which captures the diagram’s overall circular feature. However, some details are inaccurate or invented: pre-processing does not produce seeds, and the diagram does not specify that an expert or farmer harvests the plants or that chemicals are used in processing. These claims make parts of the process unclear. To strengthen the report, describe the labelled transitions precisely—for example, pre-processing leads to cellulose, which is processed into sugars—and avoid adding information not shown.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall progression: an opening summary is followed by the stages in sequence, and the final sentences return to the cycle’s starting point. Paragraphing also separates the overview from the detailed account. Linking expressions such as “In the first step,” “In the upcoming step,” and “Then” help the reader follow the process, and the reference to carbon dioxide connects the end back to the beginning. Some connections are less precise, however: “These seeds” refers to a stage that is not in the diagram, while “This gas” in the overview is somewhat vague. The sequence markers also feel slightly mechanical. Use accurate stage references and vary transitions so that the logical links remain clear without relying mainly on step labels.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “harvested,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “penultimate step,” and “by product.” This is enough to describe the stages and the cycle, and the meaning is generally understandable. Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise, such as “produce seeds,” “acts as a precursor to initialize the cycle,” and “fuel intransporation industry.” There are also spelling errors, including “thier,” “utlilizes,” and “emmits,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for direct, diagram-based phrasing and check spelling carefully. For example, say that pre-processing produces cellulose, and describe ethanol as fuel used by transport rather than as fuel “in” an industry.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including clauses with “which,” “since,” and “in order to,” and most of the process remains understandable. Some grammatical errors persist, particularly subject–verb agreement and verb forms: “The produced ethanol act” should be “The ethanol produced acts,” and “Ethanol produced … are further used” should be “Ethanol … is further used.” There are also awkward or incomplete grammatical patterns, as in “passes through processing step,” which needs an article (“the processing step”). The sentence “These seeds are essential as they make cellulose as a product” is difficult to follow, partly because its structure obscures the intended relationship. Review agreement, articles, and sentence construction while retaining your attempts at complex sentences.

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