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 the 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, microbes are added to sugars which is 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 is used by the trees. These are the steps involved in the manufacturing of a biofuel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response provides a clear overview of the ethanol production process. You have successfully identified the main stages, from the harvesting of trees to the final use of ethanol. However, the description is somewhat generic and lacks detail regarding the specific technical stages shown in the diagram, such as the distinction between 'pre-processing' and 'processing' or the specific role of the 'fermentation' stage. To improve, ensure you explicitly mention the key inputs and outputs at each stage, such as the specific role of cellulose and the conversion process, to provide a more comprehensive summary of the information presented.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is logically organized, following the sequence of the diagram from start to finish. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'After this', and 'After these initial steps' to guide the reader through the process. However, the paragraphing is underdeveloped; the entire body of the report is contained within one paragraph, which limits the flow. To reach a higher band, try to group related steps into distinct paragraphs—for example, separating the initial harvesting and pre-processing from the chemical conversion and final usage stages.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'manufactured', 'harvested', 'cellulose', and 'microbes' correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is some repetition of basic verbs like 'go through' and 'used'. To improve, aim to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'converted', 'synthesized', or 'facilitated'. Additionally, ensure consistent use of terminology; for instance, 'various type of transportation' should be 'various types of transportation' to ensure accurate collocation.

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 slips, such as 'These trees are then harvested... and go through pre-processing from where the cellulose is extracted' (a slightly awkward relative clause) and 'microbes are added to sugars which is then converted' (subject-verb agreement error: 'which are'). Punctuation is generally functional, but some sentences are slightly run-on. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and refining the use of relative clauses will help improve the accuracy and sophistication of your writing.

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