Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-26

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 cycle process by which the biofuel called ethanol is produced and utilized.

Overall, it begins from natural Energy (sunlight + carbon dioxide), which anables trees and plants to grow and ends with spreading carbonic anhydride in different types of transportation.

Initially, energy is produced by plants and trees growth (Plants/trees using sunlight and CO2) for harvesting (using tractors), which is one of the most important factor and aspect of producing Ethanol in an organic way. Next step is pre-processing, which helps flora to turn into Cellulose.

Cellulose is then processed fully this time, until getting the structure of sugar, that is the crucial point for ethanol production. In contrast, Microbes are added to sugars and transformes into Ethanol.

Finally, carbon(IV) oxide is released in different forms of transportation including: planes, cars and trucks. From constantly using vehicles, carbonic acid gas travels into the environmentclosing the loop and restarting the cycle

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the diagram as a cycle and cover its main stages, including plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, sugar, microbes and ethanol. The overview also recognises that carbon dioxide returns to the environment, which captures the cycle’s broad purpose. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: energy is not produced by plant growth; rather, sunlight and carbon dioxide support plant growth. The ending says the cycle restarts, but does not clearly explain that carbon dioxide from vehicles returns to the plants. The description of ethanol being used by transport is also less precise than the diagram, which shows three vehicle types. To strengthen the response, report the stages and the carbon-dioxide loop more accurately, without adding unsupported claims such as harvesting being a particularly important factor.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall sequence, moving from an overview through the production stages to transport and carbon-dioxide release. Paragraphing helps separate the overview from the detailed account, and transitions such as “Initially,” “Next step,” and “Finally” guide the reader. This gives the report a coherent arrangement. Some links are less effective, however: “In contrast” does not express a contrast between adding microbes and the preceding stage, while “which” in the first detailed paragraph has an unclear reference. The final sentence also runs together at “environmentclosing,” making the ending harder to follow. Use transitions that show the actual process relationship, and check that each reference clearly points to a stage or material.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of process vocabulary, including “pre-processing,” “Cellulose,” “Microbes,” and “released,” and you attempt more formal alternatives such as “carbon(IV) oxide.” These choices show an effort to describe the diagram precisely. However, several less suitable or inaccurate expressions reduce naturalness: “carbonic anhydride” and “carbonic acid gas” are not appropriate names for carbon dioxide, and “structure of sugar” is an awkward description of sugars. There are also spelling and word-form slips, including “anables” and “transformes.” Prefer standard, consistent terminology from the diagram and use familiar process collocations. This would make the vocabulary more precise while retaining the range already attempted.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “which” and “until,” and most of the process remains understandable. Some grammatical errors are present, particularly in verb forms and sentence construction. For example, “which anables trees and plants to grow and ends with spreading” has an unclear subject and faulty parallel structure; “plants and trees growth” also uses an incorrect noun construction. In “Microbes are added to sugars and transformes,” the verb form is incorrect, and the final sentence lacks a space after “environment,” as well as clear punctuation. Aim for straightforward, accurate clauses first, then add subordinate clauses where the relationship is clear. Check agreement, verb forms and sentence boundaries during revision.

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