Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-11-12

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 given process illustrates the production of a biofuel known as ethanol.

Overall,the process includes total of 8 steps that starts with the environmental aspect naturally and later on is processed that includes addition of microbes and the desired product ethanol is produced.

The first stage of the process includes growing of plants and trees through the combination of sunlight and carbon dioxide.The trees and plants are then harvested for the pre-processing of the product.

Cellulose is produced after the pre processing which later goes for the processing stage where the molecules or formula for sugar is produced.Microbes is added in the sugar to produce the desired product that is ethanol.

Ethanol is then used in cars,trucks and aeroplanes as shown in the diagram.The process includes enviromental and processing stages to get ethanol which is later used in the transport facilities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the subject and give a basic account of the main stages, including plant growth, harvesting, cellulose, processing, microbes and ethanol. However, the overview is incomplete: the diagram shows a cycle, with carbon dioxide from transport returning to support plant growth, but this important feature is omitted. The claim that there are “8 steps” is also inaccurate, and the account does not clearly explain the conversion from sugars to ethanol or the carbon-dioxide emissions from the three transport modes. The response is 141 words, below the required 150. To improve, report the full cycle and describe each key transition accurately, rather than relying on a general closing statement about transport.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows the broad sequence of the process, moving from plant growth through production to the use of ethanol in transport. The paragraph breaks also separate the overview from the stage descriptions. However, progression is weakened by the inaccurate “8 steps” summary and by repeated general statements, such as “the process includes environmental and processing stages.” Some links between stages are unclear: for example, the account moves from sugars to microbes and ethanol without explaining the relationship precisely. Improve cohesion by organising the stages in a clear chronological sequence and using concise transitions such as “Next,” “Following this,” and “Finally.” Include the carbon-dioxide return loop to complete the process logically.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvested,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “microbes” and “ethanol,” so the reader can follow the general topic. However, some expressions are vague or awkward for describing a diagram, such as “environmental aspect naturally,” “the desired product,” and “transport facilities.” There are also spelling and form issues, including “enviromental,” and “pre processing” is not consistently written. Choose precise process language and avoid unnecessary phrases such as “molecules or formula for sugar,” which is unclear and not supported by the diagram. More accurate terms would help you describe the stages and the carbon-dioxide cycle with greater clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, and the main sequence is generally understandable. However, errors in agreement, articles and sentence construction occur across the response. For example, “the process includes total of 8 steps that starts” needs an article and agreement, while “Microbes is added” has a subject–verb agreement error. Several sentences also run together because punctuation is missing, as in “carbon dioxide.The trees” and “cars,trucks.” Use a consistent present simple for process descriptions, check singular and plural subjects, and separate sentences with appropriate spaces and punctuation. These corrections would make your meaning easier to follow while retaining the range of sentence forms you attempt.

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.