Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-16
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 stages involved in the process of producing ethanol from plants and how is eventually use fuel before returning to carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
Overall, the process begin with cycle starts from plants and trees growth and end with the release carbon dioxide.
The first step of the process is when plants and trees absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide to grow. Following this, plants are harvested using tractors and undergo the pre-processing when they are broken down into cellulose is processed in industry and convert into a sugar.
The next phase of the process is microbes are then added to the sugar which produce ethanol through fermentation. This ethanol is used in transportation like cars, aeroplanes, and trucks.
Finally, to summarize the process of the combustion of ethanol in these vehicles and released carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere or plants and trees reabsorbed the carbon dioxide completing the cycle.
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 cycle, from plant growth to combustion and reabsorption. However, the description of the process is somewhat superficial. For example, the transition from 'cellulose' to 'sugar' is mentioned, but the specific industrial steps (pre-processing, breaking down) are described in a slightly disjointed manner. While the main features are identified, the comparison and synthesis of the cycle could be more analytical. The overview is present but lacks a clear summary of the cyclical nature of the process, which is a key feature of the diagram. Overall, the response addresses the requirements but lacks the depth of detail expected for a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. There is a logical progression from the start of the cycle to the end. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'Finally, to summarize the process of the combustion'. Additionally, some sentences are poorly connected, such as 'The next phase of the process is microbes are then added', which lacks a smooth transition. While the overall arrangement is coherent, the referencing and linking between sentences could be more sophisticated to improve the flow of information.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, covering terms like 'harvested', 'fermentation', 'combustion', and 'atmosphere'. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and awkward phrasing, such as 'how is eventually use fuel' (should be 'how it is eventually used as fuel') and 'reabsorbed the carbon dioxide'. The range is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the flexibility and precision required for a higher band. There are no significant spelling errors, but the word choice is somewhat repetitive and basic.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. For instance, 'the process begin with cycle starts' contains subject-verb agreement and redundancy issues. The phrase 'cellulose is processed in industry and convert into a sugar' has a tense inconsistency. Furthermore, 'microbes are then added to the sugar which produce ethanol' is a run-on structure that lacks necessary punctuation. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band, as the control over complex structures is inconsistent.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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