Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-19
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 illustration gives information about the complete process of preparation of biofuel which is known as ethanol . Overall , at the starting point of the process plants need carbon dioxide from the air and at the ending point carbon dioxide is released by the vehicles .
It is quite evident from the diagram that new growing plants or trees gain energy in the form of sunlight and carbon dioxide . After the complete growth of plants , harvesting machines cut them . Later harvested plants and trees pass through pre-processing where cellulose separates and then these are to the laboratory.
Furthermore, during the laboratory process cellulose is converted to sugars . After that , microbes are added to the sugar particles from which the result outcome, ethanol is produced . However , this will use for low traffic vehicles and high traffic vehicles and also for the aeroplanes as a fuel . These traffic vehicles release carbon dioxide after the use of ethanol . Lastly , this released carbon dioxide mixes with air from which plants gain it .
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 student successfully covers all the main stages of the biofuel production cycle shown in the diagram, ranging from the growth of plants using sunlight and carbon dioxide to harvesting, pre-processing, chemical conversion, microbe addition, and the ultimate release of carbon dioxide from vehicles. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, outlining the starting point (plants needing carbon dioxide) and the endpoint (release by vehicles). However, the description contains some minor inaccuracies and awkward phrasings regarding the process, such as stating that 'cellulose separates and then these are to the laboratory' (missing a verb and object), and the description of transportation fuel. Despite these slight gaps, the main features are adequately reported and supported by the visual data, satisfying the requirements for Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is arranged logically into three paragraphs, featuring an introduction with an overview, a body paragraph detailing the initial stages, and a final paragraph covering the later stages and the environmental cycle. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'It is quite evident', 'After the complete growth', 'Furthermore', and 'Lastly' are employed to guide the reader through the chronological sequence. However, paragraphing is somewhat basic, and referencing or linking is occasionally clumsy, such as 'then these are to the laboratory'. Progression is generally clear, but the mechanical nature of some transitions keeps the coherence at a Band 6.0 level.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a process, including terms like 'illustration', 'harvesting machines', 'pre-processing', 'cellulose', 'sugars', and 'microbes'. There are several attempts to use less common vocabulary, but these are often accompanied by inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, or grammar, such as 'preparation of biofuel' instead of 'production of biofuel', 'result outcome', and 'low traffic vehicles and high traffic vehicles'. Spelling is generally accurate, but awkward phrasing and inappropriate word forms ('result outcome') restrict the score to a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writing demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as relative or participial clauses ('plants need carbon dioxide from the air and at the ending point carbon dioxide is released'). There are several noticeable grammatical errors and missing words that disrupt fluency, such as 'then these are to the laboratory' (missing verb), 'this will use for low traffic vehicles' (passive voice error), and punctuation issues including spaces before commas. While these errors do not completely impede communication, their frequency prevents the grammar from achieving a Band 6.0, placing it firmly at a Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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