Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-29
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 SHOWS THE PROCESS OF MAKING ETHANOL FROM PLANTS.
PLANTS AND TREES ARE THE MAJOR SOURCE OF ETHANOL. THESE ARE GROWN UNDER PRESENCE OF SUNLIGHT AND CARBON DIOXIDE. LATER HARVESTING THE CROP AND PRE-PROCESSED IT. DURING THE PROCESSING PLANTS WERE CUT DOWN INTO SMALL PIECES TO FORM A CELLULOSE. FURTHER PROCESSING WILL BE DONE BY ADDING SUGARS AND MICROBES TO FORM A FINAL PRODUCT. AT THE SAME TIME THEY WILL SEPARATE THE WASTE AND USEFUL CONTENT FROM THE PLANTS. THE FINAL PRODUCT ETHANOL IS USED AS TGHE FUEL FOR MANY TYPES OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS LIKE ROAD AND WATER WAYS.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, significantly impacting the score. While the student identifies the main topic—the production of ethanol—the description is overly simplistic and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the stages shown in the diagram. Key steps, such as the specific conversion of cellulose to sugar or the fermentation process, are omitted or described too vaguely. The response does not provide a clear overview or highlight the key comparisons required for a process diagram. Consequently, the information is under-developed and fails to address all parts of the task effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is written as a single block of text rather than organized into clear paragraphs, which is a requirement for a formal report. While there is a basic logical sequence following the steps of the process, the use of cohesive devices is very limited. Transitions between sentences are mechanical and repetitive, such as 'later', 'further', and 'at the same time'. The lack of paragraphing and the limited range of linking words make the flow of information feel disjointed and basic, preventing the response from achieving a higher band score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is functional but very basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'making ethanol', 'cut down into small pieces', and 'final product' are simplistic and do not demonstrate the range of vocabulary expected for an Academic Task 1 report. There is no attempt to use more precise, technical, or academic terminology related to industrial processes. Additionally, there is a spelling error ('TGHE') which, while minor, contributes to the overall impression of limited lexical control. To improve, the student needs to incorporate more sophisticated synonyms and process-specific vocabulary.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response relies almost exclusively on simple sentence structures. There is a lack of complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses or passive voice constructions, which are essential for describing a technical process. Grammatical errors are present, such as 'pre-processed it' (should be 'pre-processed') and 'during the processing plants were cut' (which lacks a clear subject-verb agreement or logical flow). The use of all-caps throughout the text is also inappropriate for formal writing. The range of structures is too limited to demonstrate higher-level grammatical control.
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