Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-17
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 illustrated diagram depicts the diverse steps of the process of how biofuel, which is called Ethanol is made.
Firstly, the fuel which is made from natural resources like plants and trees, in first step the sun-light and the carbon dioxide both provide energy to the plants and the trees. After the plants grow, harvesting process is started while the harvesting is completed. The pre-processing is done to the plants and trees. Once the pre-processing is completed the material is shifted to cellulose.When the cellulose stage is completed, it is transferred to chemicals processing and the chemicals are mixed and they become in the form of different form of sugars and microbes are added in the sugars. Once all the chemicals are mixed and crossed all the stages of process it become in the form of the ethanol. The Ethanol is ready for use and provided to different transporations, like aeroplanes, trucks and cars. When all the mode of transportation used the ethanol and releases carbon dioxide into the environment.
In comparison, the process is done by completing several steps started from the plants and trees and finished at making of Ethanol which is provided to transport for usage.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student covers the main stages of the biofuel production diagram, from sunlight and plant growth through harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, processing, sugars, and microbes added, up to ethanol production and its use in transportation which releases carbon dioxide back into the cycle. However, the overview provided in the concluding sentence is somewhat weak and repetitive, and the response lacks a clear synthesis of the cyclical nature of the process. While all parts of the diagram are mentioned, the explanation of individual steps is overly reliant on listing rather than fluid summarisation. Consequently, the task response falls into the Band 6 category, as it addresses all parts of the task but lacks sufficient extension and development in key areas.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is arranged in a logical sequence following the stages of the diagram, using basic sequencing words such as "Firstly" and "Once". However, paragraphing is extremely poor, with the main body consisting of a single, excessively long, and run-on paragraph. Cohesive devices are repetitive and sometimes mechanical, such as the repeated use of "Once... is completed" and "become in the form of". Referencing is also occasionally unclear, such as "When all the mode of transportation used the ethanol". These issues prevent the response from achieving a higher band, placing it firmly at Band 5 due to the lack of effective paragraphing and repetitive cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for describing the process, incorporating topic-related words such as "harvesting", "pre-processing", "cellulose", "sugars", "microbes", and "carbon dioxide". However, there are frequent inappropriate word choices and awkward collocations, such as "become in the form of different form of sugars", "chemicals processing", and "transporations". Less common lexical items are attempted with noticeable inaccuracy, and spelling errors like "sun-light" occur. The range is sufficient to convey the basic message, but the lexical errors restrict the score to Band 5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding verb forms, prepositions, and clause structures, such as "while the harvesting is completed", "the harvesting process is started while the harvesting is completed", and "When all the mode of transportation used the ethanol and releases carbon dioxide". Punctuation is also problematic, leading to run-on sentences that lack proper coordination and subordination. Because errors are frequent and occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, this performance corresponds to Band 5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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