Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-01

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 provided diagram below illustrate the how a biofuel called ethanol is produced.

First stage,energy sunlight and carbon dioxide send to plants and trees grow after that second stage harvesting forward to pre processing the third stage transmit to cellulose sent the processing after that processing send to sugars then sugar transmit to microbes and finally made is ethanol and then ethanol sent to the different carbon dioxide such as cars carbon and trucks carbon dioxide and airplane carbon dioxide send to the different cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, reaching only 85 words. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed. While the student attempts to describe the stages of ethanol production, the summary is extremely brief and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the process. Key features, such as the specific inputs and the cyclical nature of the carbon dioxide, are mentioned but not developed or compared effectively. To improve, the student must provide a more comprehensive overview of the entire process, ensuring all stages are clearly explained and the main features are highlighted in greater detail.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response lacks clear paragraphing and logical structure. While there is a basic attempt to sequence the stages using words like 'First stage' and 'finally', the flow is disjointed and repetitive. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and often inaccurate, making the text difficult to follow. There is no clear introduction or overview, and the sentences are strung together in a way that does not facilitate a smooth progression of ideas. To improve, the student should group related information into distinct paragraphs and use a wider variety of linking words to connect ideas more naturally.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is very limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'send', 'made', and 'transmit'. There is little evidence of the specific terminology required to describe a technical process, such as 'conversion', 'fermentation', or 'by-product'. The student struggles with word choice, for example, using 'transmit to cellulose' or 'cars carbon', which are not standard collocations and impede the clarity of the description. To reach a higher band, the student needs to expand their range of vocabulary to include more precise, topic-specific terms and demonstrate a better understanding of how words function in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The grammatical range is very limited, consisting mostly of simple, fragmented sentences. There are frequent errors in sentence structure, such as 'The provided diagram below illustrate' (subject-verb agreement) and 'finally made is ethanol' (word order). Punctuation is also problematic, with a lack of proper sentence boundaries. The response lacks complex structures, and the persistent errors in basic grammar make the text difficult to read. To improve, the student should focus on mastering basic sentence construction, including correct subject-verb agreement and the appropriate use of articles and prepositions.

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