Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-12
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 sequence of processes in order to produce ethanol and how it is used further.
Overall, there are seven stages involved with the production of ethanol. Starting from the first stage where plants and trees experience growth to addition of microbes in the last stage after all the processing takes place. Most of the processes are mechanized and ethanol is used mostly in different transport. with the most important aspect being carbon dioxide as it is both a resultant and raw material essential for ethanol production.
Firstly, plants experience growth due to the energy they consume consisting of a combination of sunlight and carbon dioxide . Followed by the harvesting and pre processing taking place by the use of machines in order to make cellulose .Then further processing takes place using chemicals in labs resulting in sugars being made and finally in the last stage microbes are added resulting in ethanol being produced.
It is used further in different modes of transport like cars, trucks and planes which release carbon dioxide which is sued by plants eventually to grow creating a loop of production and consumption.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| 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 cycle, including the growth of plants, harvesting, processing, and the final usage in transport. However, the description of the process is somewhat superficial. For instance, the transition from 'harvesting and pre-processing' to 'chemicals in labs' lacks detail regarding the specific intermediate steps shown in the diagram, such as the conversion of cellulose to sugar. While the cyclical nature of the carbon dioxide is identified, the response would benefit from a more precise breakdown of the mechanical and chemical stages to fully satisfy the requirements of a Band 7 or higher. The overview is present but could be more distinct.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, moving from an introduction and overview to the specific process stages and finally the usage. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Followed by', and 'Then' are used to guide the reader through the sequence. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be improved; the second paragraph is quite dense, and the final paragraph is very short. Referencing is generally clear, though the connection between the carbon dioxide loop and the production stages could be more smoothly integrated to improve the overall flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'mechanized', 'cellulose', and 'consumption' used correctly. However, there are some awkward phrasings and minor errors, such as 'sued by plants' (a typo for 'used') and 'resultant' used as a noun, which is slightly unnatural in this context. The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, but it lacks the precision and sophistication required for a higher band. More varied terminology related to industrial processes would enhance the quality of the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical slips, such as 'in order to produce ethanol and how it is used further' (lacks parallel structure) and 'consisting of a combination of sunlight and carbon dioxide .' (the period placement is incorrect). Additionally, some sentences are fragmented or run-on, such as 'Starting from the first stage... to addition of microbes...'. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they indicate a lack of control over complex structures, keeping the score in the mid-range.
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.