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 the production of ethanol.

It is a eight step cyclic process. It shows how trees are harvest, then convert into cellulose, sugar and into ethanol. How ethanol is used as fuel in transportation. And how carbon dioxide is emit into air through transportation.

The trees are harvest and transfer into machinery. In pre processing trees are crush into tiny size . After processing it is convert into cellulose. Cellulose is further send into labortary for chemical processing. In laboratory different molecules are added with cellulose.

After labortary process cellulose is convert into sugar. In sugar microbes are added which is convert into ethanol. Ethanol is further transmit for commercial use. Different vehicals such as airplane, trucks and cars use ethanol as fuel. These vehicals produce carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide through cyclic process transfer back into plants and trees. Then plant take sunlight and carbondioxide and process is repeated.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main stages and the overall cycle, including plant growth, conversion to ethanol, its use in transport, and carbon dioxide returning to plants. This gives the reader a relevant account of the process. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram shows pre-processing producing cellulose, followed by processing that produces sugars, whereas you say cellulose is produced “after processing” and add unsupported details about machinery, a laboratory, and “different molecules.” The overview also calls it an “eight step” process, although the diagram contains more stages and transport uses. To improve, describe the stages in their displayed order and avoid adding processes that are not shown; make the distinction between pre-processing and processing explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction and overview are followed by descriptions of the production stages and the carbon cycle. The sequence from plant material to transport fuel is generally easy to follow, and phrases such as “After” and “Then” help signal progression. However, the overview is broken into several short fragments (“How ethanol is used…” and “And how carbon dioxide…”), and the later account repeats some information while moving between stages. References such as “it” and “these vehicles” are not always precise. Grouping the stages into clearer paragraphs and using explicit links such as “Next,” “Once cellulose has been obtained,” and “Finally” would make the progression smoother and the relationships clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “cellulose,” “microbes,” “cyclic process,” and “carbon dioxide,” which helps communicate the subject. There is also some attempt to vary wording, for example “transfer,” “convert,” and “produce.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this process: “trees are harvest,” “transmit for commercial use,” and “different molecules are added” do not describe the diagram precisely. Spelling errors such as “labortary,” “vehicals,” and “carbondioxide” also reduce control. Aim for accurate process collocations and consistent spelling, using terms such as “harvested,” “transported,” and “released” where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple sentences and longer sequences, and the main meaning is usually recoverable. However, errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward or unclear. Examples include “It is a eight step,” “trees are harvest,” “it is convert into cellulose,” and “microbes are added which is convert into ethanol.” The fragments “How ethanol is used as fuel…” and “And how carbon dioxide is emit…” also interrupt sentence structure. Practise forming complete sentences and checking subject–verb agreement and passive forms: for example, “The trees are harvested,” followed by “They are pre-processed to produce cellulose.” This would improve accuracy while retaining your process description.

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