Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-01

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 the process of producing ethanol from plants and trees.

Overall, it is a cyclic process consisting of nine stages, beginning with the harvesting of tress and plants and ending with the formation of ethanol which is then used in transportation industry.

Initially, tress and plants are harvested and then passed through the pre-processing process to obtained cellulose. After this, cellulose undergoes processing and converted into sugars.

In the next stage, the microbes are added into sugars, obtained as a result of processing. After adding microbes, the final product ethanol is formed. This ethanol then used for transportation purposes such as in vans, cars and airplanes. When ethanol is used as fuel in vehicles, it started to burn and as a result, carbon dioxide is emitted into atmosphere.

The carbon dioxide which is released into air, then used by tress as plants as a source of energy in addition to sunlight and in this way, the cycle continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production cycle, from harvesting to the final use and the subsequent absorption of carbon dioxide. However, the description is somewhat superficial. For instance, the transition from 'cellulose' to 'sugars' is mentioned, but the diagram's specific details regarding the chemical or mechanical processes could be better highlighted to show a more comprehensive understanding. While the main features are identified, the report lacks a clear analytical focus on the comparative aspects of the cycle. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the cyclical nature of the process more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized logically, following the chronological flow of the diagram. Paragraphing is used, although the indentation and spacing are somewhat irregular, which affects the visual presentation. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'After this', 'In the next stage', and 'In this way' are used to guide the reader through the process. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical. Referencing is generally clear, though the connection between the final stage and the beginning of the cycle could be strengthened to emphasize the 'cyclic' nature mentioned in the introduction.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe the process clearly. There are some spelling errors, such as 'tress' instead of 'trees', and minor grammatical slips in word choice, such as 'pre-processing process' (redundant) and 'used by tress as plants' (likely a typo for 'trees and plants'). The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. Using more specific technical terms related to the process would improve the score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'to obtained cellulose' (should be 'to obtain'), 'is converted' (missing 'is' or 'it is'), and 'this ethanol then used' (missing 'is'). Additionally, there are issues with article usage, such as 'into atmosphere' (should be 'into the atmosphere'). While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the process, they are frequent enough to indicate a lack of control over complex structures. More attention to verb forms and articles is needed.

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