Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-16
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 show the cyclical process of producing ethanol from cellulose and subsquent enviroment impact through carbon dioxide release.
Overall, the process is cyclical, consist of two main phases ; the production of ethanol from plants and subsquent release of carbon dioxide from vechicles , which is aborbed by plants to repeat the cycle
Intially, during the pre -processing stage plants or biomass are harvested and broken down into cellulose . This cellulose further sent into processing facility which is converted to sugar.Following this processing phase then the sugar undergo microbial fermentation which involve microbes to yield ethanol.
Once the ethanol is produced, it is utilized as fuel severals modes of transportation by vechicles like in cargo ships, trucks etc. These vechicles combustion of ethanol release carbon dioxide in atmosphere. Finally, this carbon dioxide is aborbed by growing plants through photosynthesis , which replenishes the cellulose source, thereby completing the coninous loop.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student successfully covers all parts of the visual prompt by outlining the cyclical process of ethanol production from cellulose and its environmental impact through carbon dioxide release. The main features are reported accurately, noting the progression from plants, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose conversion, sugars, fermentation with microbes, to the final production and use of ethanol in transport, which releases carbon dioxide back to the plants. There is a clear overview provided in the second paragraph. However, there are minor omissions and slight inaccuracies in detailing the exact flow steps from the diagram (for instance, missing the explicit mention of sunlight and energy inputs). Overall, the task is addressed adequately and meets the requirements for a Band 6.5 or 6.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response exhibits a coherent overall arrangement with a logical progression from the initial harvesting stage through processing to final consumption and recycling. Paragraphing is used appropriately, dividing the introduction, overview, and specific stages. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical, with noticeable missing articles, awkward transitions, and repetitive referencing. For example, phrases like 'This cellulose further sent into processing facility' lack proper grammatical linkage, and punctuation errors around commas and spaces disrupt the smooth flow. Nevertheless, the progression of the cycle remains understandable throughout, aligning well with the descriptors for Band 6.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'cyclical process', 'subsequent', 'fermentation', and 'photosynthesis'. However, there are frequent spelling errors ('subsquent', 'enviroment', 'aborbed', 'vechicles', 'Intially', 'coninous') and occasional word choice inaccuracies (e.g., 'enviroment impact', 'fuel severals modes'). These lexical slips and spelling mistakes do not impede communication since the reader can easily grasp the intended meaning, but they prevent the score from reaching a higher band. The range is sufficient to describe the process but lacks precision and control.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as relative and subordinate clauses ('which is aborbed by plants to repeat the cycle'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly missing verbs, prepositions, and articles (e.g., 'The diagram show', 'consist of two main phases', 'plants or biomass are harvested', 'sugar undergo'). Punctuation and spacing issues are also prevalent (e.g., 'pre -processing'). While these errors rarely completely impede communication, they occur with high frequency across the text, making the grammatical control sit firmly at Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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