Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-10

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 procedure of producing biofuel named as ethanol. At a glance, Carbon dioxide released by vehicle also contributes in the production of ethanol subsequently.

To begin with, trees absorbs sunlight and carbon dioxide from atmosphere and being harvested once they grew. Directed towards pre-processing for the extraction of cellulose. Furthermore extracted cellulose undergo chemical process for receive a sugar out of it. Ultimately, ethanol is produced after the addition of essential microbes with sugar, which is used in vehicle for mobility. Eventually, carbon dioxide released by vehicle reabsorbed by trees and plants for further production of biofuel.

Overall, the production process of ethanol contains several steps and chemical procedures which works in a repeating pattern.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While the main features of the diagram are identified, the description is too brief to fully develop the process. The explanation of the stages is superficial, and the response lacks the necessary detail to provide a comprehensive summary. To improve, you must expand on each stage of the process, ensuring that all steps—such as the specific chemical treatments or the role of the fermentation tank—are described in greater detail. The current length prevents a full exploration of the information provided in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into a brief introduction, a body paragraph, and a short conclusion. While there is a basic logical progression, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical (e.g., 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', 'Ultimately'). The paragraphing is present, but the overall structure is underdeveloped due to the lack of content. To improve, ensure that each step of the process is linked more fluidly and that the transition between the production of ethanol and its usage is more clearly articulated to guide the reader through the cycle.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. You used basic terms like 'procedure', 'process', and 'addition'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'receive a sugar out of it' and 'named as ethanol'. To achieve a higher score, incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'fermentation', 'conversion', 'raw materials', or 'by-product'. Expanding your range of synonyms and improving your grasp of natural collocations will significantly enhance the quality of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There are several grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the text. For example, 'trees absorbs' (subject-verb agreement error), 'being harvested once they grew' (tense inconsistency), and 'which works in a repeating pattern' (should be 'work' to agree with 'procedures'). The sentence structures are relatively simple, and there is a lack of complex sentence variety. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and consistent verb tenses when describing a process. Additionally, try to incorporate a wider range of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions, which are essential for describing scientific or industrial processes.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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