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 how ethanol is manufactured. This process includes eight steps.
Overall, The production of ethanol starts with harvesting of trees which trap sunlight and Carbon dioxide directly from the sun and this procedure ends at the production of ethanol.
First of all, trees gain energy from the sun in the form of sunlight and carbon dioxide. After this, These trees are then harvested by a machine and go through pre-processing from where the cellulose is extracted, the cellulose then passes through the processing. In this step, different chemicals are used to obtain sugars.
After these initial steps, the Microbes are added to sugars which then converted to ethanol which is the last step. The obtained ethanol is used in various type of Transportation that releases carbon dioxide. The released carbon dioxide binds again with sunlight and used by the trees. These are the steps involved in manufacturing of a biofuel.
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 trees to the final use in transportation. However, the description is somewhat superficial. The process is presented as a simple linear sequence, failing to highlight key technical details such as the specific role of 'pre-treatment' or the distinction between the chemical and biological stages clearly. While the main features are identified, the lack of detail regarding the cyclical nature of the carbon dioxide release and absorption means the response does not fully explore the diagram's complexity. To reach a higher band, you should provide a more comprehensive overview of the transformation stages.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into three short paragraphs, which is a logical structure for a process description. The progression of ideas is generally clear, moving chronologically through the steps. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'After this', 'After these initial steps'). Additionally, the referencing is occasionally weak; for example, the transition between the chemical processing and the introduction of microbes could be smoother. Paragraphing is present, but the introduction and overview are combined in a way that makes the summary feel slightly rushed. Improving the variety of linking phrases would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using subject-specific terms like 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'ethanol'. However, the range is limited, and there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For instance, 'manufacturing of a biofuel' is acceptable, but 'production process' is more standard in this context. Phrases like 'go through pre-processing from where the cellulose is extracted' are slightly awkward. There is also a tendency to repeat basic verbs like 'obtained' and 'used'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe industrial processes, such as 'converted into', 'facilitated by', or 'subsequently'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, particularly with articles and capitalization (e.g., 'the Microbes', 'various type of Transportation'). Some sentences are slightly disjointed, such as 'the cellulose then passes through the processing', which lacks a clear connection to the previous clause. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and punctuation, such as the unnecessary capitalization of 'Overall, The'. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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