Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-26

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 illustrates how a biofuel- Ethanol is produced through several stages.

Overall, it is evident from the diagram that there are couple of steps through which the energy stored in plants is processed and converted into Ethanol. This is an admixture of natural and manmade process which continues as a never ending cycle.

First of all, plans and trees intake Carbon Dioxide from the environment, which with the help of sunlight produces necessary energy, allowing them grow properly. After the plants are matured, they are harvested and pre-processed with the help of technology. The pupose of pre-processing is to seperate the celluose from the produce, which is then processed with the chemical substances in the lab. Consequently, sugar is produced and microbes are added to this in order to convert it into Ethanol. This biofuel is subsequently used by different modes of transportation systems. Eventually, these vehicles transform Ethanol into Carbon Dioxide which then returns back to the environment and again used by the 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 in vehicles. You have successfully identified the cyclical nature of the process. However, to reach a higher band, you should provide more specific detail regarding the technical stages. For instance, the diagram mentions 'crushing' and 'fermentation', which are key technical terms that were omitted or generalized as 'pre-processing' and 'chemical substances'. Including these specific labels would demonstrate a more thorough understanding of the provided visual data. The overview is clear, but the summary could be more precise by highlighting the transition from biological growth to industrial processing more explicitly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, following the chronological order of the diagram. You use transition signals such as 'First of all', 'Consequently', and 'Eventually' to guide the reader through the process. Paragraphing is present, though the introduction and overview are combined with the body paragraph, which makes the structure feel slightly cramped. To improve, ensure that the overview is clearly separated from the detailed description of the process. While the flow is generally smooth, some cohesive devices are used in a slightly mechanical way, and the referencing of the cycle could be more tightly integrated into the narrative.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'admixture', 'matured', and 'subsequently'. However, there are some spelling errors, such as 'pupose' instead of 'purpose' and 'seperate' instead of 'separate'. Additionally, 'plans' is used instead of 'plants' in the first sentence of the second paragraph, which is a noticeable error. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. Focusing on accurate spelling and using more precise technical terminology related to the diagram would significantly enhance your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'there are couple of steps' (missing an article: 'a couple of') and 'again used by the plants' (missing an auxiliary verb: 'are again used'). Furthermore, the phrase 'This is an admixture of natural and manmade process' contains a singular/plural mismatch. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles, and try to incorporate a wider variety of complex sentence structures with greater accuracy.

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

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