Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-19
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 given diagram illustrates the complete process of producing biofuel called Ethanol.
overall, the diagram shows how the ethanol is made , what are all the raw materials used , a proper roadmap of steps involved and also applications of ethanol.The entire process is a cyclic reaction.
Firstly, plants and trees whose primary energy sources are sunlight and carbon dioxide are precisely selected and harvested . further, they go through pre-processing unit so that the entire crop can be made into small units called cellulose. Now the cellulose under processing method in order to form sugars .lastly , prepared sugars are added with microbes . The last product we get is ethanol , this biofuel is used in varies places , examples fuel for all the vehicles , ships , even in aeroplanes etc,. from the useage of this fuel there will be a drastic amount of carbon dioxide release in nature , which will ultimately acts as a source for the growth of plants, eventually the cycle continues .
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 process, from the growth of plants to the final application and the cyclic nature of the process. However, the description is somewhat superficial. For instance, the transition from 'cellulose' to 'sugars' is described as a 'processing method' without mentioning the specific intermediate steps shown in the diagram, such as the breakdown or fermentation stages. While the overview is present, it lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band. The inclusion of the cycle is a positive feature, but the explanation of the process could be more detailed to fully satisfy the requirements of a summary.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into a brief introduction and a body paragraph. While there is a logical progression from the start to the end of the cycle, the paragraphing is insufficient; the entire process description is condensed into one long paragraph, which makes it harder to follow. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Firstly', 'further', and 'lastly', but some transitions feel mechanical or are used incorrectly, such as 'Now the cellulose under processing method'. The referencing is generally clear, but the overall structure lacks the sophisticated paragraphing expected at higher levels.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice errors, such as 'varies places' instead of 'various places' and 'useage' (spelling error). The term 'drastic amount' is also used incorrectly in this context, as it does not accurately describe the release of carbon dioxide. While the student attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'cellulose' and 'microbes', the overall range is limited, and the errors occasionally distract from the clarity of the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in punctuation and grammar. For example, there are missing spaces after commas, incorrect capitalization (e.g., 'overall'), and subject-verb agreement issues like 'which will ultimately acts'. The use of articles is also inconsistent, such as 'producing biofuel called Ethanol'. While the meaning is generally conveyed, the high frequency of minor grammatical errors and punctuation mistakes prevents the response from reaching a higher band. More attention to sentence construction and proofreading is needed.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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