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 visuographic illustrates the process to produce a biofuel called ethanol through various stages by using various types of processes.

Overall, it can be seen that there are multiple processes interconnected to produce ethanol. Beginning from harvesting the plants and it passes through different processes and finished by adding microbes into ethanol.

Firstly, the plants and trees grow with the help of the sunlight energy and carbon dioxide. Thereafter, it goes through harvesting process. After that, it goes through pre-processing where harvested plants transformed into the tiny pieces. Then it converted into small cellulose this and then this cellulose passes through lab process to make sugars. Afterwards, mixture of sugars and microbes added to produce ethanol. After this, it used in different type of transportation, such as cars, trucks and aircrafts and when it use ethanol it release carbon dioxide into atmosphere to grow tress and plants for repeating this process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the ethanol production process and outlining the cyclic nature of the diagram. The overview captures the core sequence, moving from plant growth and harvesting through processing to the addition of microbes and the subsequent release of carbon dioxide. However, some stages are described with slight inaccuracies or overly simplified terminology, such as referring to cellulose as 'small cellulose this' and describing the final use of ethanol. While the main steps are presented in logical order, a more precise selection and reporting of specific intermediate components would enhance the response. Overall, the task is adequately fulfilled, corresponding to a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear attempt to structure the process sequentially. Paragraphing is utilized to separate the introduction, overview, and body details. However, cohesion relies heavily on repetitive transitional markers like 'After that', 'Then', and 'Afterwards', which makes the progression feel somewhat mechanical rather than fluid. Furthermore, referencing is occasionally unclear, such as 'when it use ethanol it release', where pronouns and subjects become blurred. Despite these cohesive shortcomings, the information follows a logical chronological path from plant growth to transportation and carbon dioxide release, earning a Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting some process-specific terms such as 'harvesting', 'pre-processing', 'cellulose', 'sugars', and 'microbes'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation errors throughout the response, such as 'visuographic' instead of 'diagram' or 'illustration', and awkward phrasing like 'process to produce a biofuel... through various stages by using various types of processes'. Lexical repetitions ('process', 'processes') detract from precision. While meaning is generally conveyed, the frequency of clumsy lexical choices prevents the response from achieving a higher band, placing it firmly at Band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some ability to connect clauses with conjunctions and relative structures. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, featuring several errors that occasionally cause confusion for the reader. Examples include tense and agreement slips such as 'harvested plants transformed into the tiny pieces' (missing auxiliary), 'converted into small cellulose this', and 'when it use ethanol it release carbon dioxide'. Punctuation and article usage are also shaky in places. Because errors are frequent in complex structures and cause some strain for the reader, this performance aligns with a Band 5.0.

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

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