Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-04
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)
This diagram presents how a biofuel called ethanol is produced.
To summarize, there are several stages for the production of ethanol, begining from the energy from where the plants grow and ending at the release of vehicles. These also includes harvesting, pre- processing and final processing of ethanol.
The manufactoring of ethanol starts from sunlight coming from the sun and plants releases carbon dioxide in return, both combined produce energy that help plants and trees to grow. After that, farmers harvest these plants for further manufactor that is pre-processing. The plants are passed through various machines. From there, cellulose is extracted. Cellulose again go through the processing stage. After processing, we get sugars extracted from cellulose.
In the next stage, microbes are added in sugars that produce the final product ethanol. Ethanol is then used by many vehicles such as cars, trucks and aircrafts. These vehicles release carbon dioxide that goes back into the atmosphere that again is the source for further manufactoring.
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 the growth of plants to the final use in vehicles. However, the description is somewhat simplistic and lacks a clear overview or summary of the key features, which is essential for a Band 7 or higher. The explanation of the process is generally accurate, but it relies heavily on a step-by-step narrative rather than highlighting the cyclical nature of the process effectively. To improve, you should aim to group the stages more logically and provide a more analytical summary of the overall process in the introduction or conclusion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'After that', 'From there', 'In the next stage'). The progression of ideas is logical, but the transitions between sentences could be more varied to improve the flow. Additionally, some referencing is slightly unclear, such as the phrase 'These also includes', which lacks a clear antecedent. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that pronouns clearly refer to previous nouns would enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the process clearly. However, there are several instances of word-choice errors and non-standard usage, such as 'manufactoring' (manufacturing), 'begining' (beginning), and 'release of vehicles' (which is inaccurate; it should refer to the emission of carbon dioxide). The range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic terminology. To reach a higher band, you should work on using more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes and ensure correct spelling of key terms.
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 frequent grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('These also includes', 'plants releases', 'Cellulose again go') and spelling errors ('manufactoring'). Punctuation is mostly functional, but the sentence structure could be more varied to demonstrate better control. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and proofreading for common slips. Increasing the use of complex sentences with accurate subordinate clauses would also help raise your score in this criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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