Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 how ethanol is made in a man made process.

Overall, making biofuel has several stages, beginning with the plant to be grown and it never ends, as it is cyclical the sequence repeats.

The first stage involves, growing plants by the help of sunlight and carbon dioxide, after that trees are harvested by the farmer and participated in the initial processing. Once this is done, it converted into cellulose, subsequently it goes to the lab for further formalities. Later, it becomes sugar and after adding microbes, the mixture converted into ethanol also called biofuel.

After that, this fuel used in verious types of vehicals such as, cars, trucks, aeroplans. By using bio fuel they resulting a huge number of carbon dioxide. This gas then spread or add in the nature and takes part to produce energy for plants and like that the process continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as cyclical and cover its main stages, from plant growth through processing and fermentation to transport use and carbon dioxide returning to support further growth. This gives the reader a relevant overview. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the diagram shows plants and trees being harvested, then pre-processed to produce cellulose, which is processed into sugars; it does not specify a lab. The description of carbon dioxide as being produced in a “huge number” is unsupported, and the role of sunlight and carbon dioxide in plant growth could be stated more precisely. The response is also three words below the required minimum. To develop the report further, describe the stages in the diagram more exactly and include the transport-related emissions in the cycle.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs following the process from plant growth to fuel use and the return of carbon dioxide. Sequencing expressions such as “The first stage,” “after that,” “Once this is done,” and “Later” help show the order. However, the progression is sometimes weakened by vague links, particularly “it goes to the lab for further formalities” and “like that the process continues,” which do not clearly identify the relevant stage or connection. Some transitions are also mechanically repeated, and the long final sentence combines fuel use, emissions, and the cycle without clear separation. Use more precise references to each stage and divide the final explanation into clearer steps.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvested,” “cellulose,” “microbes,” “ethanol,” and “carbon dioxide,” so the reader can follow the general subject. There is also some attempt to vary wording, for example “initial processing” and “further formalities.” However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or informal for a process description. “Further formalities” does not describe processing, while “a huge number of carbon dioxide” is an unsuitable collocation. Spelling errors such as “verious,” “vehicals,” and “aeroplans” are noticeable, and “bio fuel” is inconsistently written. Choose precise technical terms from the diagram, use standard spelling, and avoid vague or conversational expressions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a relative clause in “as it is cyclical the sequence repeats” and sequencing clauses such as “Once this is done.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors occur in several sentence patterns. Examples include “it converted into cellulose,” “the mixture converted into ethanol,” and “this fuel used,” where the passive verb forms are incomplete. “By using bio fuel they resulting” also has an unclear subject and faulty verb construction. There are further issues with articles, prepositions, and punctuation, such as the comma after “involves” and the comma before “cars.” Practise accurate passive forms—“is converted” and “is used”—and check each sentence for a clear subject and complete verb.

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.