Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-20
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 production process of biofuel called ethanol.
We can see from the diagram that first plants and trees grown with the help of sunlight and carbon dioxide called as energy. When plants and trees grow process of harvesting happens. Harvested parts are taken for pre-processing in specialized machine. Cellulose is produced from the process of pre-processing. Next stage is the formation of sugars by transporting cellulose into the process called processing.
Finally, ethanol is produced which is called as biofuel by adding suitable microbes to sugars. Cars, trucks, planes uses ethanol and emit carbon dioxide again in the atmosphere. This process repeats continuously of planting tress to harvesting to producing ethanol.
To conclude, ethanol called as biofuel production requires time and proper equipment for making sugars and cellulose. Microbes should also be of suitable ranges and quantity to add in sugar for the production of biofuel.
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 usage in vehicles. However, the description is somewhat simplistic and lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band. For instance, the transition between 'pre-processing' and 'processing' is described vaguely, and the connection between the stages could be more clearly linked to the diagram's flow. While all key features are mentioned, the summary lacks a clear overview or 'main trend' statement, which is essential for Task 1. The conclusion is slightly repetitive and focuses more on the requirements of the process rather than summarizing the key features of the cycle.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'We can see from the diagram that' and 'Next stage is' are used, but there is a lack of more sophisticated linking words to connect the stages of the process fluently. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved to create a more cohesive narrative. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could benefit from more varied transition signals to improve the overall progression of ideas.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic. There is a reliance on simple, repetitive phrasing such as 'called as' and 'process of'. The student attempts to use technical terms like 'cellulose' and 'microbes', which is positive, but the overall range is limited. There are some awkward collocations, such as 'transporting cellulose into the process called processing', which sounds unnatural. To reach a higher band, the student should aim for more precise verbs and nouns related to industrial processes, such as 'converted into', 'facilitated by', or 'subsequent stage'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that, while they do not impede communication, are noticeable. Examples include 'plants and trees grown with the help of sunlight... called as energy' (missing auxiliary verbs/awkward phrasing) and 'Cars, trucks, planes uses ethanol' (subject-verb agreement error). Additionally, the use of articles is inconsistent, such as 'in the atmosphere' instead of 'into the atmosphere'. The control over complex structures is limited, and the sentence construction often feels slightly disjointed due to these persistent errors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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