Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-13
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 displays the production of biofuel that is ethanol.
Overall, this process involves 9 stages beginning with presence of sunlight and carbon dioxide and culminates in transferred again in environment . Through out the process , the material undergoes several stages .
Initially, Plant and trees grow with the rays of sunlight and carbon dioxide following this they harvested in autumn and the resulting in pre processing and in this the strips separated and combine with cellulose after that they processed in labortries and mixed with different chemicals such as sugar after that microbes are also added in it and finally ethanol is formed .
Following this ethanol is distributed to different vehicles such as car , truck and Aeroplan . Once they used by all transportation same process take place on loop with this carbon dioxide spread in air and repeat the process through out the whole life .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response identifies the main stages of the ethanol production process, covering the cycle from plant growth to fuel usage and the release of carbon dioxide. However, the description is somewhat superficial. For instance, the transition from 'strips' to 'cellulose' and the specific chemical/microbial processes are described in a very simplistic manner, lacking the technical precision expected in an Academic Task 1 report. While the overview captures the cyclical nature of the process, the lack of detail regarding the specific inputs and outputs at each stage prevents a higher score. The response addresses the prompt but lacks the depth required for a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is repetitive and sometimes mechanical. Phrases like 'Following this' and 'after that' are used excessively, which makes the flow feel somewhat clunky. Additionally, the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'once they used by all transportation', where the subject 'they' is ambiguous. The logical progression is present, but the lack of varied linking words and the somewhat disjointed sentence structure limit the coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally limited and repetitive. The student relies on basic terms like 'things', 'process', and 'stages'. There are also inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'labortries' (spelling error) and 'transferred again in environment', which is not a natural collocation. The use of 'Aeroplan' is also incorrect. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning of the diagram, it lacks the precision and range required to describe a technical process effectively. More specific terminology related to industrial or biological processes would be necessary to improve the score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with article usage ('in presence of sunlight'), subject-verb agreement ('Plant and trees grow'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are run-on or lack necessary prepositions, such as 'Once they used by all transportation', which should be 'Once it is used by all forms of transport'. The range of structures is limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences joined by basic conjunctions. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the response from reaching a higher band.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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