Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-05
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 manufacturing process of ethanol which is also called biofuel because the carbon doxide produced from vehicles is recycled back as a raw material.
Overall, ethanol is produced from the plants and trees in sequential steps to form a fuel for transport.
Furthermore, plants and trees grow and synthesize by photosynthesis using energy, sunlight and carbon dioxide. After plants grow well , they are cut, harvested and then shifted to the production units where the preprocessing process is started in which different parts are sorted out for the formation of cellulose. In the next stage, processing is begun in a special processing unit of the mill. Following this, processed material is converted to sugar. In the last stage, specific microbes are added to the produced sugar for fermentation which finally produces ethanol as final output. This ethanol is used in the daily transport from cars to aeroplanes. This fuel causes carbon dioxide emission which shifts back to an atomsphere for plant regrowth.
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 successfully identifies the main stages of the ethanol production process. You have covered the cycle from plant growth to the final usage in transport. However, the description is somewhat linear and lacks a clear analytical focus on the 'main features' or significant comparisons. For instance, the transition from 'preprocessing' to 'processing' is described, but the specific technical details (such as the breakdown of cellulose into sugar) could be more clearly highlighted as a key stage. To improve, ensure you clearly distinguish between the biological growth phase and the industrial manufacturing phase to provide a more structured summary of the process.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is logically organized, following the chronological order of the diagram. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'After', 'Following this', and 'In the last stage' to guide the reader through the process. However, the paragraphing is insufficient; the entire response is presented as a single block of text. To achieve a higher band, you should divide your writing into distinct paragraphs—typically an introduction, a body paragraph detailing the process, and a concluding summary. Additionally, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the flow could be improved by varying the sentence structure to better connect the stages.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'synthesize', 'photosynthesis', 'cellulose', and 'fermentation' correctly. There are some minor spelling errors, such as 'doxide' instead of 'dioxide' and 'atomsphere' instead of 'atmosphere'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the process, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations related to industrial processes, such as 'raw material extraction' or 'chemical conversion', rather than relying on simpler phrasing like 'shifted to' or 'grow well'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'the carbon doxide produced from vehicles is recycled back as a raw material' (which is slightly awkward) and 'the preprocessing process is started in which different parts are sorted out'. While these errors do not impede communication, they are noticeable. You should focus on improving the accuracy of your complex sentences and ensuring consistent subject-verb agreement. Additionally, pay closer attention to article usage (e.g., 'to an atomsphere' should be 'to the atmosphere').
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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