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 figure illustrates cyclic steps of producing a biofuel known as ethanol.
Overall, the diagrams shows how a raw material is processed in the factory and is used to produce energy for different transporting vehicles like cars, trucks and air planes.
The process starts with plants and trees that consume carbon dioxide and sunlight. These plants are initially harvested by the farmers and pre-processed into small particles to make cellulose. Cellulose are still the raw material which then bring to the factory in which it is processed.
After the cellulose is being processed it is converted into sugars in which different microbes are added to make it a biofuel which helps in running the vehicles. This fuel is consumed by transporting vehicles for different purpose and these vehicles releases carbon dioxide which is then again consumed by the plants. These are the steps in which an important biofuel is produced and processed to run engines of vehicles.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the process, identifying the cycle from plants to fuel and back to plants. However, the description is somewhat generic. For instance, the transition from 'cellulose' to 'sugars' and the specific role of 'microbes' are mentioned, but the explanation lacks the precision required for a higher band. The summary of the process is accurate, but it could be improved by highlighting the specific stages more clearly as distinct steps in the factory process. The overview is present but could be more analytical regarding the cyclical nature of the process.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. The use of cohesive devices such as 'The process starts with', 'After', and 'which is then' helps guide the reader through the stages. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally repetitive. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction/overview from the process description. Overall, the flow is clear, and the information is presented in a logical sequence that is easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'cyclic', 'raw material', 'cellulose', and 'microbes'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are instances of slightly unnatural phrasing, such as 'which then bring to the factory' (should be 'is brought') and 'transporting vehicles' (which is redundant). There is a lack of more sophisticated or precise vocabulary that would demonstrate a higher level of lexical control. The word choice is generally accurate enough to convey the intended meaning without difficulty.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'the diagrams shows' (subject-verb agreement), 'Cellulose are' (subject-verb agreement), and 'which then bring to the factory' (passive voice error). Additionally, 'these vehicles releases' contains another agreement error. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher band score. The writer demonstrates an attempt at complex structures, but control over these is inconsistent.
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.