Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-15

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)

This figure illustrates the cycle of biofuel production. The mechanism involves steps from harvesting of plants to the consumption of fuel by vehicles.

The cycle starts from the production of vegetation that consume sunlight and carbon dioxide. As the plants and trees grow, they are subjected to harvesting for further processing and turn it into ethanol.

The woods are converted into small pieces to obtain cellulose, which is a polysaccharide, rich in sugar content. The cellulose is then processed in laboratories to obtain refine sugar particle.

By adding microbes, that start bioprocessing of organic molecules transform sugar molecules into ethanol and other by products. The fine ethanol obtained is then consumed by large number of vehicles including bikes, cars, heavy trucks and aero plane. The vehicles release carbon dioxide in the environment which is a source of energy for living organisms.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response provides a general overview of the biofuel production cycle, but it fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While the main stages are identified, the description lacks the necessary detail and analytical depth required for a high band score. The summary of the process is somewhat superficial, and it misses opportunities to highlight key comparisons or specific technical transitions shown in the diagram. To improve, you should expand on the individual stages of the process and ensure you meet the minimum length requirement to fully develop your response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of the cycle. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. For instance, the transition between the harvesting stage and the conversion to cellulose could be smoother. While there is a clear overall arrangement, the lack of sophisticated linking words makes the flow feel a bit disjointed. To improve, try using a wider variety of cohesive devices such as 'subsequently', 'following this', or 'as a result' to better connect your ideas and improve the overall flow of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'polysaccharide', 'bioprocessing', and 'cellulose' demonstrating a good grasp of the subject matter. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'obtain refine sugar particle' (should be 'refined sugar particles') and 'aero plane' (should be 'airplanes'). The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, but it lacks the precision and sophistication needed for higher bands. Focusing on correct collocations and pluralization will help improve your lexical score significantly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'vegetation that consume' (should be 'consumes') and 'turn it into ethanol' (which lacks a clear subject). Additionally, there are issues with article usage and pluralization, such as 'aero plane' and 'large number of vehicles'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. You should focus on subject-verb agreement and proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy.

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

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