Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-07

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 process of biofuel production, specifically how ethanol is made from plants and trees.

The cycle starts when plants and trees absorb energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide from the air, enabling them to grow. Once mature, the biomass is harvested using agricultural machinery such as tractors. The collected plant material then undergoes preprocessing, where it is broken down into smaller pieces.

Furthermore, cellulose is extracted from the preprocessed biomass. This cellulose is processed in specialised equipment and converted into sugars. Then microbes are added to the sugars. And ethanol is produced.

Finally, the finished ethanol is distributed and used as a fuel in various forms of transport, including cars, trucks and aeroplanes. When the ethanol is burned in engines, it releases energy that powers the vehicles while simultaneously producing carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere, where it becomes available once again for absorption by growing plants and trees. Allowing the entire process of biofuel production to continue.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the ethanol production process, from the growth of biomass to the final combustion and recycling of carbon dioxide. The overview is clear, and the sequence of steps is accurately described. However, to reach a higher band, the response could benefit from more explicit comparisons or a more sophisticated synthesis of the cyclical nature of the process. While all key features are covered, the description remains somewhat linear and could be more analytical in highlighting the relationship between the stages.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, moving from the initial growth phase to production and finally to usage and recycling. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Then', and 'Finally' helps guide the reader through the process. However, there are some minor issues with sentence structure, such as the sentence fragment 'Allowing the entire process of biofuel production to continue', which disrupts the flow. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that all sentences are complete would enhance the overall cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task, using terms like 'biomass', 'preprocessing', 'cellulose', and 'emitted'. The range is sufficient to describe the process clearly. To achieve a higher score, the student should aim to incorporate more precise academic collocations and less common vocabulary. For instance, instead of 'broken down into smaller pieces', terms like 'shredded' or 'mechanically reduced' would demonstrate a more sophisticated control of the topic-specific lexicon.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally accurate, there are occasional errors, such as the sentence fragment at the end of the text. Additionally, some sentences are quite short and could be combined to show better control of complex structures. The majority of the text is error-free, but the presence of minor punctuation and structural issues prevents a higher score. Focusing on sentence variety and avoiding fragments will improve the grammatical profile.

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.