Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-11-05

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 5.5)

The diagram below illustrates the production of biofuel called ethanol by distribution of eight major steps.

Overall, it can be seen that the process began with planting and harvesting, which undergo for furthur processing to make biofuel that can be used in different transportations.

Firstly, the plants and trees are grown up under sunlight and carbon dioxide to provide energy, by making sure the better growth of the plants. Then it harvested by a tractor usually by a man to take it to furtuhur processing. Before taking the plants into processing they are treated with pre processing in a machine to take out cellulose from the plants.

The cellulose keep under a furthur process to take out sugars from the plants. After completing all the steps the microbes are added in the sugars. Which converted the mixture of microbes and sugars into ethanol.

These ethanol called biofuel used in different transportations in vehicles, and even in airoplanes. Which ultimately give the carbon dioxide to our enviroment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the process as ethanol production and give a broad overview, noting that the fuel is used in transport and that carbon dioxide is released. The main stages from plant growth through harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, sugars and the addition of microbes are also included. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram shows plants growing, not being planted, and sunlight and carbon dioxide are inputs for growth rather than a step that ensures “better growth.” The account also omits the cycle’s return of carbon dioxide to the plants, a key feature, and does not clearly explain that ethanol is produced from the sugars after microbes are added. Develop these points more precisely and cover the full cycle to make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction and overview are followed by stages in roughly chronological order, with “Firstly” and “Then” helping the reader follow the process. The paragraphing also separates the early and later stages. However, some links are awkward or unclear. For example, “Which converted the mixture” is a sentence fragment, and “These ethanol called biofuel” does not clearly connect the product to its uses. The overview says there are “eight major steps,” but the body does not organise or distinguish them consistently. Use complete sentences and clearer references, and finish by linking transport emissions back to plant growth, as the diagram’s cycle does.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “pre processing,” “cellulose,” “sugars,” “microbes” and “ethanol,” which helps communicate the stages. There is also some attempt at more formal description, such as “illustrates” and “ultimately.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: “by distribution of eight major steps,” “different transportations,” and “take out cellulose” do not express the process precisely. Spelling errors such as “furthur,” “airoplanes” and “enviroment” also reduce accuracy. Build a more precise set of process verbs and collocations, such as “is converted into,” “is used as fuel,” and “is released into the atmosphere,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex forms, including the overview clause “which undergo…” and the sequence beginning “Before taking the plants into processing…”. However, control is uneven, and several errors make relationships between stages difficult to follow. Examples include “it harvested” (missing the passive auxiliary), “The cellulose keep” (incorrect verb form and agreement), and “Which converted…” (a fragment without a clear subject or auxiliary). “These ethanol called biofuel used…” also lacks the necessary articles and verb forms. Practise accurate passive constructions for process descriptions—for example, “the plants are harvested” and “the cellulose is processed”—and ensure each sentence has a complete main clause. This will improve clarity while allowing you to retain varied sentence structures.

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

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