Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-05
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 below illustrates the lifecycle process of production of naturally made fuel called ethanol.
Overall, the naturally produced fuel is generally a decomposition of living being converted into microbes , which is then used as a fuel and energy source for different motor vehicles and machines.
The process starts with the living plants that absorb sunlight along with carbon dioxide performing photosynthesis converting them to food energy and for their growth. These plants are then harvested by farmers for food or as fuel. The harvested crops or plants are then pre processed the remaining cellulose we get after the pre processing is used by processing plants to extract sugars from them. These sugar when mixed with microorganisms react and form a fuel called ethanol that is entirely the result of nature also referred as biofuel. The fuel is used by motorized machinery factories and vehicles all over the world. Which again ion burning releases carbon dioxide which is used by plants and the cycle continues.
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 photosynthesis to the final usage and recycling of carbon dioxide. However, the description is somewhat generic and lacks a clear, analytical overview of the key features of the diagram. While the process is described, the response could be improved by explicitly highlighting the cyclical nature of the process as a primary feature in the introduction or overview. The explanation of the 'pre-processing' and 'fermentation' stages is a bit vague, missing the technical detail required for a high-band response. To improve, ensure you clearly distinguish between the distinct stages shown in the diagram rather than narrating it as a continuous story.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph. The progression of ideas follows the steps of the diagram clearly. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat limited and occasionally mechanical. For example, the transition between the harvesting stage and the processing stage could be smoother. The use of referencing is generally clear, but some sentences are slightly disjointed, such as the final sentence regarding the carbon cycle, which feels tacked on rather than integrated into the overall flow of the process description.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'photosynthesis', 'microorganisms', and 'cellulose' used correctly. However, there is a lack of more sophisticated or precise vocabulary that would elevate the response. Some phrasing is slightly awkward, such as 'naturally made fuel' and 'decomposition of living being', which are not the most accurate ways to describe the chemical or biological processes involved. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise scientific terminology and collocations related to industrial processes and energy production.
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 instance, 'the naturally produced fuel is generally a decomposition of living being' is grammatically incorrect, and there are issues with article usage and punctuation, such as the space before the comma in 'microbes ,'. Additionally, the sentence 'Which again ion burning releases carbon dioxide' contains a typo ('ion' instead of 'in') and a sentence fragment. Improving control over complex sentence structures and proofreading for minor errors would significantly improve the score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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