Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-02
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 process diagram gives the information on the production of ethanol, which is a biofuel.
Overall, the production process starts with growth of plants and trees, which grows in the presence of sunlight and carbon dioxide. And ends with the production of ethanol which is used in engines and jets. During this process, plants and trees are harvested and pre-processed to extract cellulose. Cellulose is further processed to extract sugars in which microbes are added to produce Ethanol.
Process begins with energy in form of sunlight and carbon dioxide contributing to the growth of plants and trees. As they grow in size, they are harvested and goes through the pre-processing stage in which cellulose is extracted. It is refined to produce sugars, and microbes are added to form Ethanol.
Ethanol is then used in various forms, like in cars, trucks and airplanes. The waste from these engines is carbon dioxide, which again contribute to the growth of plants and trees as energy.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production process, from plant growth to end-use. However, the description is somewhat repetitive; for instance, the process is described in the overview and then again in the body paragraphs. While the main features are identified, the response lacks a clear, analytical comparison or a more sophisticated synthesis of the cycle. The inclusion of the 'waste' stage as part of the cycle is a good observation, but the overall development is quite basic. To reach a higher band, you should focus on grouping the information more logically rather than simply listing the steps in a chronological narrative.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. For example, the phrase 'Process begins with' and the frequent use of 'and' to join clauses make the flow feel a bit simplistic. There is a lack of varied linking words to show the relationship between the stages (e.g., 'subsequently', 'following this', 'as a result'). While the progression is logical, the transitions between sentences could be smoother to improve the overall flow of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. You rely on basic verbs like 'grows', 'added', and 'used'. There is an attempt to use technical terms like 'cellulose' and 'microbes', which is positive. However, the range is limited, and there are some minor collocation issues, such as 'contribute to the growth of plants and trees as energy', which is slightly awkward. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to industrial processes and chemical transformations.
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 subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., 'plants and trees, which grows' should be 'grow'; 'they are harvested and goes' should be 'go'). Additionally, there are some punctuation and article errors, such as 'in form of' (missing 'the') and 'in various forms, like in cars' (unnecessary comma). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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