Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-25
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 cyclical process of manufacturing ethanol from natural resources and provided back to the nature by emitted gases from transport.
Overall, the procedure follows a linear multi-stages sequence that begins from growing green vegetation and including several chemical compounds.
To begin with, the first step is growing trees and plants which further undergoes in the process of harvesting. Moving forward, the green vegetation moved to pre-processing which forms cellulose. Subsequently, the cellulose is used in chemical industries to made a high sugar compound.
Furthermore, the high sugar compound is attached with microbes which produces ethanol. Thus, this ethanol is supplied to industries who use it in land and air vehicles. Lastly, the released gas from vehicles which is Carbon dioxide goes back in the nature.These plants consumes these gas and sunlight to produce energy for their photosynthesis process.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response provides a general overview of the process but fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words. While the main stages are identified, the description lacks the necessary detail and precision expected for an Academic Task 1 response. The summary of the cycle is somewhat superficial, and the connection between the stages could be more clearly articulated to demonstrate a full understanding of the diagram. Because the response is under the word count, it is penalized in this criterion, as it prevents a fully developed response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Moving forward', 'Subsequently', and 'Furthermore' are used to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and the transition between the final stage of the cycle and the beginning is slightly abrupt. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the overall progression could be smoother to achieve a higher band.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher score. Phrases like 'green vegetation' and 'high sugar compound' are functional but repetitive. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'provided back to the nature' and 'attached with microbes', which sound unnatural. To improve, you should aim for more specific technical terminology related to industrial processes and chemical reactions.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that affect the accuracy of the writing. For instance, 'which further undergoes in the process' is grammatically incorrect, and 'industries who use it' should be 'industries that use it'. Additionally, there are issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'These plants consumes these gas'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to limit the score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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