Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-06
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 diagram illustrates the process of formation of a specific type of organic fuel called ethanol.
Overall, the process consists of six main stages. The process is simple and quite reversible.
Firstly, the trees or plants grown in suitable sunlight and concentration of carbon dioxide are harvested. The harvested plants are pre-processed by using different machines. Cellulose is extracted from plants and is carried to experimental lab. Then, cellulose is processed by different mechanisms and is converted to smaller sugars. At last, the microbes are added to sugars. As a result, the ethanol is obtained.
Ethanol is used in many engines as a fuel as alternative of petrol, diesel, and jet-fuel etc. The by-products of procedure (like carbon dioxide) involves again in plant's development.
In conclusion, ethanol is produced by using cellulose and is used for various purposes. Ethanol is considered as renewable energy source because plants will last till the end of universe.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production process, from harvesting to the final product. However, the description is somewhat superficial. For instance, the transition from 'cellulose' to 'smaller sugars' is described as 'different mechanisms' without referencing the specific chemical or physical processes shown in the diagram (such as acid or enzyme treatment). Furthermore, the inclusion of personal commentary, such as 'The process is simple and quite reversible' and 'plants will last till the end of universe', is inappropriate for an Academic Task 1 report, which requires an objective summary of the provided data. The response lacks a clear, analytical overview that synthesizes the key features of the process.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Then', 'At last', and 'In conclusion' are used to signal the progression of stages. However, the referencing is occasionally weak; for example, the phrase 'The by-products of procedure' lacks a definite article, and the connection between the final stage and the initial stage is somewhat mechanical. While the paragraphing is functional, the overall flow is hindered by the inclusion of irrelevant personal opinions that do not contribute to the coherence of the technical report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe the stages of production. There are some attempts at topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'by-products'. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and awkward phrasing, such as 'formation of a specific type of organic fuel' (production of ethanol) and 'involves again in plant's development' (is recycled back into). The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, but it lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher band scores.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that detract from the quality of the writing. Examples include 'as alternative of petrol' (as an alternative to), 'The by-products of procedure' (The by-products of the procedure), and 'involves again' (is involved again). Additionally, there are issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from reaching a higher band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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