Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-11-09

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 illustrates the process of ethonalproduction, which is used as a source of energy in different vehicles. Overall, the process consist of seven stages, beginning with plantation and processing and ending with ethanol production.

In the initial stage plants and tress are grown by using sunligh and carbon dioxide as a energy source. Then the grown vegetations are harvested through a tractor. Futher, the harvested plants are passed through a pre-processing procedure in which a machine converts plants into small particals. The small particals are then converted into a natural fiber called cellulose which further undergoes to a advance processing procedure in where different chemicals are used to extract sugar. In the second last stage, the sugar comes to a chemical recation due to the addition of microbes. After the addition of microbes the final product ethanol is produced.The ethanol is then used as a source of fuel in different modes of transportation such as cars, heavy trucks and plans.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as ethanol production and describe many of its main stages, including plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, sugar, microbes and the final fuel. However, the overview is inaccurate: it says the process has seven stages and ends with ethanol production, whereas the diagram shows a cycle that continues through transport use and carbon dioxide returning to the plants. The response also adds unsupported details, such as a machine making small particles and chemicals being used to extract sugar. To strengthen the summary, give an accurate overview of the full cycle, including the role of carbon dioxide, and report only details shown in the diagram. The transport uses are relevant, but the cycle’s return stage is a major omission.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows a generally logical sequence, moving from plant growth through processing to ethanol and its use in transport. The opening overview and the subsequent stage-by-stage paragraph make the information easy to follow overall. Sequencing expressions such as “Then,” “Further,” and “In the second last stage” help signal progression, although some are repetitive or awkward, and the overview does not match the full cycle described in the diagram. The final sentence also stops at transport use rather than linking this back to carbon dioxide and plant growth. Organise the stages into a complete cycle and use a wider, more natural range of transitions and clear references to connect each stage.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvested,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “microbes,” and “modes of transportation,” which helps communicate the topic. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “natural fiber” and “chemical reaction.” However, spelling and word-choice errors are noticeable: “ethonalproduction,” “tress,” “sunligh,” “particals,” and “plans” make parts less polished, while “comes to a chemical reaction” is an unnatural collocation. Some descriptions, such as “different chemicals,” are vague and not supported by the diagram. Check spelling carefully, choose precise process terms, and avoid adding technical details that are not shown.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a relative clause in “a natural fiber called cellulose which further undergoes…” and a time clause beginning “After the addition of microbes.” The sequence is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy. For example, “the process consist” needs subject–verb agreement, “as a energy source” has an article error, and “undergoes to a advance processing procedure in where” has problems with the verb pattern, article and clause construction. There are also punctuation issues, such as the missing space after “produced.” Aim to make complex sentences more controlled by checking agreement, articles and clause structure, and use full stops consistently.

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