Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-03
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 steps involved in the production of a biofuel known as Ethanol and where it is used as a fuel. Overall the process involves approximately 8 steps all the way from the growth of trees and plants to the production of Ethanol and its usage in various transportation systems.
It all starts when the plants grow using the natural resources such as sunlight and carbon dioxide present in the environment. After the plants are harvested, they go through a pre-processing plant which converts the raw material into cellulose. The obtained cellulose is further processed in laboratories and converted into sugars.
Furthermore, some specific microbes are added in the sugars and we get are final product i.e, Ethanol. Ethanol is widely used in various road vehicles and air transport such as cars, trucks and airplanes. These engines when burnt, eliminate carbon dioxide in the air which is however helpful in regenerating the cycle from the beginning.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| 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 final usage. However, the description is somewhat superficial. For instance, the transition from 'cellulose' to 'sugars' and the specific role of 'microbes' are mentioned, but the report lacks a clear, analytical overview of the transformation stages. The summary of the final usage is accurate, but the explanation of the carbon dioxide cycle is slightly inaccurate in its phrasing ('when burnt, eliminate carbon dioxide'), which misrepresents the process shown in the diagram. To improve, ensure that the technical steps are described with more precision and that the relationship between the stages is clearly highlighted.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into three paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. There is a clear introduction and a logical progression from raw material to final product. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'After', and 'Overall' are used to link ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be more sophisticated. The paragraphing is appropriate for a short report, but the flow between the final stage and the environmental cycle could be smoother to better reflect the cyclical nature of the diagram.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'biofuel', 'cellulose', and 'transportation systems' used correctly. However, there are some awkward word choices, such as 'we get are final product' (a grammatical error affecting lexical clarity) and 'when burnt, eliminate carbon dioxide'. The range is sufficient to convey the main points, but it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. Using more specific verbs to describe the chemical or mechanical processes (e.g., 'fermentation', 'conversion', 'emitted') would enhance the quality of the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that detract from the quality. For example, 'we get are final product' should be 'our final product', and 'which is however helpful' is awkwardly placed. There are also issues with article usage and prepositional phrasing. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of relative clauses would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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