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 diagrame outlines the stages of biofuel producation called ethanol.

Overall, the whole process comprises of 8 stages.The process starts by using energy by which plants and tress grow and ends with microbes addition in sugars which is then converted to ethanol.

Initially,by using carbon dioxide and sunlight plants and tress grow, which are then harvested.

After harvesting they go thorugh a pre processing stage.After that,they are converted into cellulose.

Celloluse is then processed and converted into sugars.In the process microbes are added into sugars which are then converted into Ethanol.

This ethanol is then used by cars,trucks,aeroplanes which is emitted by them in the form of carbon dioxide.This same carbon dioxide is then used by plants with the addition of sunlight to grow and the whole process repeats and repeats

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While the response identifies the main stages of the ethanol production process, the description is quite brief and lacks the necessary detail to fully develop the information provided in the diagram. The overview is functional, but the lack of length prevents a thorough summary. To improve, you should expand on the specific inputs and outputs at each stage, such as the role of cellulose conversion or the specific machinery involved, to ensure a more comprehensive report that meets the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into short paragraphs, which helps with readability. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. While some cohesive devices like 'Initially', 'After harvesting', and 'After that' are used, the flow between sentences feels repetitive. The paragraphing is also quite fragmented, with several very short paragraphs that could be better integrated to create a more cohesive narrative. To improve, try to use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus rather than just listing steps sequentially.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. There are several spelling errors, such as 'diagrame', 'producation', 'tress', 'thorugh', and 'Celloluse', which detract from the overall quality. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying heavily on simple verbs like 'grow', 'converted', and 'added'. To achieve a higher band score, you should aim to use more precise technical terminology related to industrial processes and ensure accurate spelling. Incorporating synonyms and more sophisticated collocations would also demonstrate a better command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'comprises of' (should be 'comprises'), 'microbes addition' (should be 'the addition of microbes'), and 'emitted by them in the form of' (which is slightly awkward). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after periods in several instances. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors limits the score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and refining sentence construction will help improve the accuracy and flow of your writing.

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

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