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 shows several steps which defines how ethanol is made. The first and foremost step is the energy coming from sun in the form of sunlight and carbon dioxide which helps the plans and trees grow and the process is called as photosynthesis. When the plants are grown, they are cut down by tractor or thresher for harvesting purpose. Plants and trees in raw form are then pre processed and converted into cellulose. The cellulose is processed in the industry and is converted into sugar. Microbes are then added into the sugar and the product which turns out is known as ethanol. Ethanol is used in airplanes, buses and cars which is transmitted in the form of Carbon dioxide. CO2 gas is then again mixed with sunlight to help plants grow and the process goes on. This is how we make the ethanol from scratch and utilize it in our daily needs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production process, from photosynthesis to consumption. However, it lacks a clear overview or summary of the process as a whole, which is essential for a high band score in Task 1. The description is somewhat linear and narrative rather than analytical. While the key stages are identified, the response would benefit from grouping the information into distinct phases (e.g., cultivation, industrial processing, and utilization) to better highlight the cyclical nature of the process. The inclusion of the 'sunlight' and 'CO2' cycle is a positive feature, but the overall structure is a bit simplistic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is coherent and follows a logical chronological order. However, the paragraphing is non-existent; the entire response is written as a single block of text. To improve, you should divide the report into at least two or three paragraphs: an introduction/overview, a body paragraph for the production stages, and perhaps a final paragraph for the utilization/cycle. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'The first and foremost step' and 'When the plants are grown', but the flow is somewhat mechanical. More varied linking words would help improve the overall cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the reader to follow the process. You have used some relevant terms like 'photosynthesis', 'cellulose', and 'microbes'. However, there are some awkward phrasings, such as 'the product which turns out is known as ethanol' and 'transmitted in the form of Carbon dioxide'. These expressions are not entirely natural in an academic context. To reach a higher band, aim for more precise terminology and avoid wordy, informal explanations. The range is sufficient for the task but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.

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 'which defines how ethanol is made' (should be 'define'), 'the process is called as photosynthesis' (should be 'is called photosynthesis'), and 'helps the plans and trees grow' (should be 'plants'). Additionally, there are issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the process, they are frequent enough to limit the score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and refining complex sentence structures will help improve your accuracy.

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

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