Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-22

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 picture demonstrates the process of production of a biofuel known as ethanol.

Overall, it is a man-made as well as natural process. The whole process consists of several stages, begins with harvesting trees and plants and ends with consumption of produce by various vehicles.

Initially, for producing fuel cultivating vegetation such as plants and trees which consumes energy like sunlight and carbon dioxide for growth. After that, the ripened greenery is cultivated and undergo by pre-processing. Following that, the cellulose is formed by processing. Then, the cellulose is refined in the scientific way by using chemical formulas.

Subsequently, sugars are extracted from the cellulose. In the next step, microbes are added into the sugars for manufacturing ethanol. After that, the biofuel utilised by vehicles such as aeroplanes, trucks and cars which in return releases carbon dioxide. Lastly, the carbon dioxide in the environment is acquired by plants and trees to get energy for their growth and the cycle continues forever.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the ethanol production cycle. You have covered the process from the initial growth of vegetation to the final consumption and recycling of carbon dioxide. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the cyclical nature of the process in the introduction. While you mention it is a 'man-made as well as natural process,' a more detailed summary of the key stages would have improved the response. The information is accurate, but some steps, such as the transition from 'pre-processing' to 'cellulose formation,' could be more clearly linked to the visual data provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the diagram. You have used a variety of cohesive devices such as 'Initially,' 'After that,' 'Following that,' and 'Subsequently' to guide the reader through the process. However, some of these transitions feel slightly repetitive or mechanical. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the progression of ideas is clear throughout the text. To reach a higher band, ensure that the connection between sentences is more varied and that the flow feels more natural rather than just a list of steps.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including terms like 'cultivating,' 'cellulose,' 'refined,' and 'microbes.' However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'undergo by pre-processing' (should be 'undergo pre-processing') and 'scientific way' (which is vague). The phrase 'get energy' is also quite simplistic for an academic task. While the vocabulary is adequate to convey the meaning, it lacks the precision and sophistication required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader, such as 'for producing fuel cultivating vegetation' (which lacks a clear subject-verb structure) and 'the biofuel utilised by vehicles' (which is a fragment missing a main verb). Additionally, 'the cycle continues forever' is slightly informal. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the process, they indicate a need for more careful proofreading and a better grasp of sentence construction, particularly regarding passive voice and verb agreement.

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

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