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 shows the process by which an ethanol is produced.

Overall, it can be seen that this process involves several primary stages. This process starts from plants and trees and completes at by making the ethanol.

Initially, this process starts from plants and trees that carrying energy for their growth. this energy includes abiotic components such as sunlight and carbon dioxide. Meanwhile, when their growth is completes then they are harvesting .After this, their pre-processing is starting. Although, in this consequence small fibers of cellulose are form. Again processing of cellulose are starting. Now, in this stage sugars are extracting.

In the sugars chains, added special type of microbes. Subsequently, by adding the microbes we got the specific type of biofuel called ethanol. this type of fuel used in the transported vehicles such as cars, trucks and an aeroplanes due to whish those are covered the long distances. As a result , carbon dioxide emitted from those vehicles and this carbon dioxide used again as a a product of energy in plants.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production process, from plant growth to the final use of the fuel. However, the description of the process is somewhat superficial and lacks technical precision. For instance, the transition from 'cellulose' to 'sugars' and the role of 'microbes' are described in a very simplified manner. While the main features are identified, the response would benefit from a more detailed explanation of the specific steps shown in the diagram, such as the fermentation or distillation phases, rather than general descriptions. The overview is present but could be more clearly integrated into the structure.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is frequently interrupted by awkward phrasing and mechanical transitions. While some cohesive devices are used, such as 'Initially', 'Meanwhile', and 'Subsequently', they are often applied incorrectly or in a way that feels forced. The referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly in the final paragraph where the connection between the carbon dioxide cycle and the production process is somewhat muddled. The paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the paragraphs lacks a smooth progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and often repetitive. There are several instances of word-choice errors, such as 'completes at by making' and 'in this consequence'. The student relies on basic terminology and struggles to use precise technical language appropriate for a process description (e.g., using 'added special type of microbes' instead of 'fermentation'). While the meaning is generally conveyed, the lack of variety and the frequent inaccuracies in collocation and word form prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Spelling is generally accurate, but the range of vocabulary is insufficient for a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a high frequency of grammatical errors, including issues with articles ('an ethanol', 'a a product'), verb tenses ('their growth is completes', 'are harvesting'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are awkward or grammatically incomplete, such as 'Although, in this consequence small fibers of cellulose are form.' There is a limited range of complex structures, and those that are attempted are often marred by errors. These frequent errors occasionally cause difficulty for the reader and indicate a lack of control over basic grammatical rules.

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