Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-31

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 demonstrates the process of biofuel production which also named as ethanol production.

The diagram gives a brief flowchart about the production of ethanol with eight different steps like source, harvesting, pre-harvesting, cellulose formation, processing, production of sugars, addition of microbes and finally the product of biofuel. The main attraction of the diagram is carbon dioxide emmision and absorption cycle.

The first step starts with plants and tress which are the primary source of biofuel as it produces energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide. The process actually starts from harvesting of the plants and trees. After harvesting, the plants undergo a pre-processing step. The pre-processing produces cellulose from the bio-source. After that, celluloses are taken to the processing phase. The cellulose is converted into sugar after processing. Then the sugars are treated with microbes and finally ethanol forms. The ethanol is used in different types of transportation system like cars, trucks and planes. The vehicles emit carbon-dixide which is again absorbed by trees and plants.

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, and you identify the important carbon-dioxide cycle. The account is generally relevant and understandable. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the diagram shows sunlight and carbon dioxide supporting plant growth, rather than plants producing energy from them, and it does not label the process as having “eight different steps.” The overview also calls the cycle the “main attraction” without clearly summarising the overall sequence and its circular nature. To strengthen the response, give a concise overview of the complete cycle, then describe the stages precisely, including cellulose becoming sugars and microbes being added before ethanol is produced.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall progression: the opening introduces the diagram, the next paragraph gives an overview, and the final paragraph follows the production sequence through to carbon-dioxide absorption. Sequencing expressions such as “After harvesting,” “After that,” and “Then” help the reader follow the stages. This is a coherent arrangement, though the linking is somewhat repetitive and mechanical, with several steps joined by “After” or “Then.” The overview paragraph also repeats the introduction rather than efficiently previewing the process. For a more flexible progression, group related stages into paragraphs and use clearer references, for example, distinguish the initial plant-growth stage from the later processing stages before explaining the return of carbon dioxide to the plants.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “processing phase,” “microbes,” and “absorbed,” which helps communicate the diagram’s stages. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “primary source” and “transportation system.” However, some choices are inaccurate or unnatural: “pre-harvesting” does not match the diagram’s “pre-processing,” “main attraction” is unsuitable for describing a key feature, and “celluloses” is not the appropriate form here. Spelling errors in “emmision,” “tress,” and “carbon-dixide” are noticeable, although the intended meaning remains clear. Aim for precise process terms and natural collocations, and proofread technical vocabulary carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more developed sentence forms, and most of the process remains easy to understand. For example, “After harvesting, the plants undergo a pre-processing step” is a clear, well-formed sentence, while the final sentence links vehicle use and carbon-dioxide absorption. Some grammatical errors remain. The opening phrase “which also named as ethanol production” is missing a verb, and “as it produces energy” has an unclear subject and reference. In “The cellulose is converted into sugar after processing,” the passive construction is handled effectively, but the response relies heavily on similar short sequencing sentences. Check articles and verb forms, and vary sentence structures while keeping each stage’s subject clear.

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