Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-12

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 below illustrates how a biofuel called ethanol is produced in several numerous stages, tracing the flow from absorbing energy to production of ethanol.

Overall, the procedure follows a linear multi-stage sequence starting from growing of plants from process called photosynthesis to ethanol being used in different types of transports like car, truck, airplane.

In the initial stages the crops are being harvested by a farmer and then being pre-processed to make a substance called cellulose which is rich in sugar and other bio-enzymes, then the cellulose is sent to industries for the breakdown of it into simpler sugar molecules.

The remaining stages deal with the changes made to sugar molecules by adding certain microbes in them to finally convert it into Ethanol which is then ready to be used as a fuel instead of petroleum and therefore benefitting the environment as the vehicles remove carbon dioxide which is again used by the plants to make their food and hence resulting in a eco-friendly procedure.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main stages, from plant growth and harvesting through cellulose, sugars and microbes to ethanol, and you mention its use in transport and the return of carbon dioxide to plants. This covers the process’s key elements. However, the overview calls it a “linear” sequence, whereas the diagram’s defining feature is a cycle: carbon dioxide from vehicles returns to support plant growth. Some details are also inaccurate or unsupported: cellulose is not described as being rich in sugar and “other bio-enzymes,” and the diagram does not state that ethanol replaces petroleum or that the process benefits the environment. To strengthen the response, describe the cycle accurately and report only information shown, while making the conversion stages clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and two paragraphs describing stages. Sequencing expressions such as “In the initial stages” and “The remaining stages” help the reader follow the process. However, the overview’s description of a “linear” sequence conflicts with the later explanation of carbon dioxide returning to plants, weakening the overall progression. The final paragraph also combines several stages, the fuel’s use and an environmental conclusion in one long sentence, so relationships between ideas become less clear. Organise the account in the diagram’s cycle order, and use shorter sentences or clearer links to separate production, transport use and carbon recycling.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “harvested,” “pre-processed,” “cellulose,” “breakdown” and “convert,” which helps explain the stages. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “initial stages” and “simpler sugar molecules.” Some choices are inaccurate or awkward for this diagram: “several numerous stages” is redundant, “different types of transports” is unnatural, and “bio-enzymes” is not supported by the visual. “Absorbing energy” is also less precise than describing plants as using sunlight and carbon dioxide. Choose concise, accurate terms and avoid adding technical claims. More natural collocations would make the process description clearer and more controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including a relative clause in “which is rich in sugar” and a complex final sentence linking ethanol use with carbon dioxide returning to plants. The main meaning is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “from growing of plants from process called photosynthesis” has an unclear construction and missing article, while “a eco-friendly procedure” needs the article “an.” The phrase “the cellulose is sent to industries for the breakdown of it” also uses an awkward pronoun structure. The final sentence is long and contains several linked clauses, making control less secure. Use clearer clause boundaries and check articles and sentence patterns.

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