Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-08
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 describes that how ethanaol is formed, which is also called a biofuel. The process involves several steps from growing of trees and plants to their final conversion into ethanol.
Initially, the plants and trees get energy in the form of sunlight and carbon dioxide and grow in size. After that, they are being harvested by harvesting machines and then passed through a machine where pre-processing which results in the formation of grains. These are then mixed with cellulose and go through the processing in fementators. Moreover, sugar is added to them after processing and then microbes are added in it, which cause their final transformation into ethanol. It is a biofuel used as an energy source in various number of vehicles, which emits carbon dioxide and conversely absorbed by the plants and trees and thus it become again a soure of energy for them to grow and the process of ethanol again starts.
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 covers the main stages of the ethanol production process, from the growth of plants to the final product. However, the description is somewhat superficial and lacks a clear overview or summary of the cyclical nature of the process. While the key steps are mentioned, the explanation of the technical stages (such as the transition from cellulose to fermentation) is slightly vague. To reach a higher band, you should ensure that the 'main features' are highlighted more distinctly, perhaps by grouping the stages into logical phases (e.g., cultivation, processing, and distribution). The current response is a bit narrative rather than analytical.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is generally coherent, and the information follows the chronological order of the diagram. You have used some cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'After that', and 'Moreover' to guide the reader. However, the paragraphing is insufficient; the entire response is contained in two short paragraphs, with the second paragraph being quite dense. A more effective structure would involve an introduction, a clear overview paragraph, and then one or two body paragraphs detailing the specific stages. This would improve the logical flow and make the information easier to digest.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'biofuel', 'harvesting', 'cellulose', and 'fermentation' used correctly. However, there are some minor inaccuracies and awkward phrasing, such as 'describes that how ethanaol is formed' (a grammatical error) and 'various number of vehicles' (which is slightly unnatural). You rely on some repetitive structures and basic verbs. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'conversion', 'synthesis', or 'by-product', and ensure your word choices are consistently natural and precise.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
There is a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but the accuracy is inconsistent. You have several errors, such as 'describes that how', 'they are being harvested' (passive voice is appropriate here, but the flow is clunky), and 'conversely absorbed by the plants' (which is grammatically awkward). Additionally, there are minor punctuation and spelling issues, such as 'fementators' and 'soure'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring that your complex sentences are constructed without unnecessary filler words.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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