Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-27
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 depicts that how a biofuel known as ethanol is manufactured .
Overall, the process of manufacturing ethanol contains seven stages , which starts with harvesting , and ends with supply of ethanol to the trasportation vechiles.
To begin with, the first stage to ethanol production, firstly the plant and trees grows with taking energy from (sunlight and carbon dioxide),then these trees and plants harvested by farmers with the use of machinery. Moreover, then plants and trees goes for pre-processing in which it is put down in the machinery , through which waste material goes aside , and seeds come out . in the third stage , seeds cellulose is checkout , and then send for the following stage of processing in which lab testing of seeds is held.
Moving towards the other details, in the fifth stage , thr sugar levels of seeds is checked after the processing process. In the next stage, microbes added to the seeds , then ethanol is formed. In the last stage of the production of biofuel ,ethanol is transferred to the vechiles , which release carbon dioxide in the air .Then the production process of ethanol would restart again ,and follow the same pattern as well as stages.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| 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 use in vehicles. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks a clear, analytical overview of the cyclical nature of the process. While the main features are identified, the explanation of the technical stages (such as 'cellulose is checkout' or 'lab testing') is vague and does not accurately reflect the likely scientific steps shown in a typical diagram. To improve, focus on grouping the stages more logically and using more precise terminology to describe the transformation of raw materials into biofuel.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical and sometimes misused, such as 'Moreover, then plants and trees goes...' and 'Moving towards the other details'. The progression of ideas is occasionally hindered by awkward phrasing and repetitive sentence structures. While the overall arrangement is coherent, the transitions between stages feel forced rather than natural. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring they are used in the correct context would significantly enhance the flow of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. There are several instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'put down in the machinery' and 'seeds cellulose is checkout'. Additionally, there are spelling errors like 'trasportation' and 'vechiles'. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to use more specific technical vocabulary related to industrial processes (e.g., 'harvested', 'processed', 'fermented', 'converted') and ensure that your spelling is accurate throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures, and there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'plant and trees grows'), incorrect article usage, and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'The diagram depicts that how...'). While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar and punctuation limits the score. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement, correct verb tenses for describing processes, and reducing the number of run-on sentences by using more varied punctuation and conjunctions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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