Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-07

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 given diagram illustrates the data how ethanol is manufactured. This process includes almost eight steps.

Overall, The production of ethanol starts with harvesting of trees which trap sunlight and Carbon dioxide directly from sun and this procedure ends at the production of ethanol.

First of all, The trees gain energy from the sun in the from of sunlight and carbon dioxide. After this, These trees are then harvested by a specific machinery and goes through pre-processing from where the cellulose is extracted, the cellulose is then passes through the processing. In this step, different chemicals are used to obtain sugars.

After these initial steps, Microbes are added to sugars which in then converted to ethanol which is the last step. These obtained ethanol is used in various kinds of Transport that releases carbon dioxide. The released carbon dioxide binds again with sunlight and used the trees. These are the steps involved in manufacture of a biofuel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production process, from the growth of trees to the final use in transport. However, the description is somewhat superficial. For example, the transition from 'pre-processing' to 'processing' is vague, and the explanation of how cellulose is converted to sugar is not clearly linked to the diagram's specific details. While the overview is present, it lacks a clear summary of the cyclical nature of the process. To improve, ensure all key stages are described with more precision and that the relationship between the steps is clearly articulated to provide a more comprehensive summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'After this', 'After these initial steps'). There are also issues with referencing; for instance, 'These trees' and 'These obtained ethanol' are grammatically awkward and hinder the flow of information. The logical progression is generally clear, but the connections between sentences could be smoother and more varied to improve the overall cohesion of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are several instances of awkward word choice and collocation errors, such as 'in the from of' (should be 'in the form of') and 'manufacture of a biofuel' (the process is usually described as 'production'). The range of vocabulary is limited to basic terms related to the diagram. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to industrial processes and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('the cellulose is then passes', 'Microbes are added... which in then converted') and incorrect article usage ('the production of ethanol starts with harvesting of trees'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the unnecessary capitalisation of words like 'The' and 'Carbon' in the middle of sentences. Improving control over basic grammar and sentence structure is essential.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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