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 diagram displays how a biofuel called ethanol is produced.
Overall, ethanol is made through seven different steps including harvesting and processing of plants. Process of ethanol formation is also recycled.
First step is to harvest plants and trees, which absorbed energy through sunlight and carbon dioxide. Then these plants and trees are driven by a person in a tractor for pre-process. In pre-processing cellulose is extracted from greeneries. Then, cellulose is also processed and then converted to sugars. In the 7th step, microbes are added into sugars and then it turned out into ethanol. Ethanol is then used as a biofuel in different auto motors like cars, trucks and airplanes. These vehicles then use ethanol and release carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide released by vehicles merge with the sunlight, creating same energy for plants and trees. In this way, this process is repeated several times. Again, plants are harvested and ethanol is produced.
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 response successfully covers all main stages of the ethanol production cycle shown in the diagram, from plant growth and harvesting through to processing, microbe addition, and the subsequent release and reabsorption of carbon dioxide. The student provides a clear overview in the second paragraph mentioning the seven steps and the cyclical nature of the process. However, some details are slightly inaccurate or oversimplified, such as stating that the plants absorbed energy 'through sunlight and carbon dioxide' when energy and carbon dioxide are separate inputs, and describing the tractor being driven 'by a person' which is not explicitly stated in the diagram. Nevertheless, the key features and comparisons are reported adequately, fulfilling the requirements for this task at a Band 6.0 level.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The text has a coherent overall arrangement, moving logically from the beginning of the cycle to the end. Paragraphing is attempted, with an introduction, a brief overview, and a body paragraph detailing the sequence. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical. The heavy reliance on words like 'Then' and 'First step' makes the transitions feel repetitive rather than fluid. Furthermore, referencing is occasionally unclear, such as 'cellulose is also processed and then converted to sugars' where the connection between steps could be smoother. Overall, the logical progression is evident, placing the response firmly in the Band 6 category.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating relevant terms from the diagram such as 'cellulose', 'microbes', 'ethanol', and 'carbon dioxide'. There are some attempts to use less common vocabulary, but word choice and collocation issues are noticeable, such as 'auto motors' instead of 'engines' or 'vehicles', and 'turned out into ethanol' instead of 'converted into ethanol'. Spelling is generally accurate, but some phrasing sounds unnatural or overly simplistic. These lexical limitations do not impede communication, allowing for a score of 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting relative clauses ('which absorbed energy through sunlight') and passive structures ('cellulose is extracted'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with missing articles ('First step is to harvest', 'In pre-processing cellulose') and awkward prepositions or verb forms ('plant and trees are driven by a person', 'creating same energy'). Despite these errors, they rarely impede overall communication. The control of grammar is characteristic of Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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