Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-24

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 provided diagram is a circular cycle which illustrates the stages of the production of ethanol commencing from plants growth and ending in the emission of carbon dioxide.

Overall, the most prominent feature is the processing of cellulose into sugar which produces ethanol that is utilized as a fuel in diferent modes of transport. Consequently, the vehicles release the gas called carbon dioxide.

First and foremost, plants and trees grow by absorbing sunlight and carbon dioxide. Secondly, plants are harvested by agricultural vehicles for taking them into factories where they are preprocessed into cellulose. Furthermore, the cellulose are processed into sugars with the facilitation of various agricultural machinery.

As evidenced by the diagram, microbes are added into sugar which results in the production of ethanol. Ultimtaley, ethanol is utilized as a fuel in various modes of vehicles for instance cars,trucks, and airplanes. In the final analysis, vehicles release the fuel as a common gas called carbon dioxide in the air. In summary, the carbon dioxide along with sunlight is then again used to grow plants and the process repeats in a circular cycle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully covers all the key stages of the process diagram, from the initial growth of plants using sunlight and carbon dioxide to harvesting, pre-processing, conversion into cellulose and sugars, addition of microbes, and final production of ethanol. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the main features such as the transformation into sugar and the subsequent use of ethanol in transport resulting in carbon dioxide emissions. The information is generally accurate and well-reported, though the description occasionally lapses into a narrative list-like style rather than a more analytical summary of the cyclical process. Nevertheless, all parts of the visual prompt are adequately addressed, satisfying the requirements for Band 6.5 or 7.0, and here it aligns well with Band 6.5 due to slight under-development in the comparative reporting of the cycle.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression from the beginning to the end of the biofuel cycle. Paragraphing is utilized adequately, separating the introduction, overview, body details, and conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'First and foremost', 'Furthermore', and 'In summary' are employed to guide the reader through the stages. However, some cohesive links feel a bit mechanical or repetitive, and referencing can occasionally be slightly clunky, such as 'the cellulose are processed' where agreement and linkage could be smoother. Overall, the arrangement is coherent and easy to follow, supporting a solid Band 6.0 performance.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range suitable for describing a process diagram, using terms such as 'prominent feature', 'utilised', 'facilitation', and 'microbes'. However, there are notable spelling errors ('diferent' instead of 'different', 'Ultimtaley' instead of 'Ultimately') and minor collocation or word form slips like 'plants growth' instead of 'plant growth' and 'the cellulose are' (cellulose is uncountable/singular here). While less common vocabulary is attempted with some success, these inaccuracies prevent the lexical score from reaching the higher bands. The range is sufficient for the task and communication is not impeded.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and subordinate structures successfully in places, such as 'the stages of the production of ethanol commencing from plants growth'. There are several grammatical errors and typos, including subject-verb agreement issues ('the cellulose are processed'), spelling errors ('Ultimtaley'), and minor prepositional inaccuracies ('into sugar' instead of 'to sugar' or 'into sugars'). Complex structures are occasionally faulty, but the errors rarely impede communication and the core meaning remains clear throughout. This reflects the characteristics of Band 6.0.

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

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