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 illustration depicts the production of biofuel called ethanol.

The various steps involved in ethanol production. It begins with autotrophs' growth by taking energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide and ends with the production of a chemical compound (ethanol), which is then used in automobiles. This emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and the cycle continues.

The cycle starts when various plants utilise energy (sunlight + carbon dioxide) in their growth, and are then reaped by farmers. After that, it is placed into an initial processing machine, which breaks them into fragments and transformed it into a beneficial compound named cellulose.

After converting fragments of plants into cellulose, this compound is transported to the laboratories for further chemical reactions to produce sugars with the addition of microorganisms, which are then converted into ethanol. Ethanol is then used in automobiles as a fuel, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide, which is released into the environment, and the cycle continues again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main stages from plant growth through harvesting, processing and ethanol production, and you identify the key cycle: carbon dioxide released after fuel use returns to support plant growth. This gives the reader a sound overall account. Some details, however, are less fully or accurately reported. The diagram shows ethanol being used by a car, truck and aeroplane, whereas you generalise this as “automobiles”; it also shows cellulose processed into sugars before microbes are added, but your wording suggests microorganisms are added to produce the sugars. The description of the processing stages is also somewhat unclear. To strengthen the response, report the sequence precisely and include the three transport modes while keeping the overview of the circular process.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable sequence, moving from the cycle overview to the stages of production and then fuel use and carbon dioxide release. Phrases such as “After that” and “After converting” help signal progression. However, the opening contains a sentence fragment—“The various steps involved in ethanol production.”—and the paragraphing does not clearly separate the overview from the detailed stages. Some references are also difficult to follow: “it” and “them” refer ambiguously to the harvested plants or the processing machine. Organise the response into a clear overview followed by a step-by-step account, and use explicit nouns such as “the plant material” or “the cellulose” where needed. This would make the progression easier to follow without relying on repetitive sequencing phrases.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a reasonably varied range for describing a process, including “autotrophs,” “chemical compound,” “reaped,” and “converted.” These choices show an attempt to go beyond basic vocabulary, and the meaning is generally clear. Some expressions are imprecise or do not fit the diagram naturally: “initial processing machine” is not shown as a machine, “laboratories” are not identified, and “used in automobiles” overlooks the truck and aeroplane. “Beneficial compound” is also vague in this context. Aim for precise process vocabulary and avoid adding details that the visual does not establish. For example, “pre-processing stage,” “processing facility,” and “transport vehicles” would describe the diagram more accurately and naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including clauses linked with “which” and “resulting in,” and the overall meaning can usually be understood. However, some errors affect clarity. “The various steps involved in ethanol production” is a fragment, while “After that, it is placed” shifts from plural plants to a singular pronoun. In “breaks them into fragments and transformed it,” the verb forms and pronouns do not agree; a parallel construction such as “breaks the material into fragments and transforms it” would be clearer. The sentence beginning “After converting fragments…” also leaves the actor unclear. Check sentence completeness, consistent tense, and agreement between subjects, pronouns and verbs, especially in longer sentences.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.