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 figure below illustrates the production of biofuel by which ethanol is made.

Overall, this is a cyclic process that usually repeats after every production. All the plants and green trees captured solar energy from the atmosphere which is then further processed for harvesting, subsequently, before a material known as cellulose is produced, goes through the a procedure called pre-processing.

Sugars were manufactured by adding microbes which undergoes various processing through which ethanol is produced, transported to various autmobiles such as aircrafts, heavy lorries and cars. The emission of carbon dioxide takes place by these transportations which is afterwards released into the atmosphere and integrated with the natural air and becomes a part of the environment.

Ultimately, this process is repeated under same conditions as it is a cyclic process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response attempts to summarise the diagram illustrating the production of ethanol, noting it is a cyclic process and mentioning key stages such as plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, sugars, processing, and transportation. However, there are significant flaws in sequencing and accuracy. For instance, the text states that 'Sugars were manufactured by adding microbes which undergoes various processing', whereas the diagram shows processing occurs before sugars, and microbes are added afterwards. Furthermore, the length requirement is NOT met, as the response contains only 131 words, falling short of the 150-word minimum. This results in an under-developed response that misses several key relationships in the cycle.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay is divided into four paragraphs, attempting an overall structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion. However, logical progression is hindered by inaccurate sequencing of the steps in the middle paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used, but some are awkward or mechanically linked, such as 'subsequently, before a material known as cellulose is produced, goes through the a procedure called pre-processing.' Referencing and paragraphing show some basic organization, but the overall arrangement fails to clearly guide the reader through the cyclical process due to confusing transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with attempts at less common lexical items such as 'cyclic process', 'transportation', and 'emission'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'captured solar energy from the atmosphere' (energy comes from the sun) and 'autmobiles such as aircrafts' (aircraft are not automobiles). There is also a spelling error ('autmobiles'). The range is somewhat limited, and these inaccuracies restrict the score to a band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'The provided figure below illustrates the production of biofuel by which ethanol is made' (redundant phrasing) and 'The emission of carbon dioxide takes place by these transportations which is afterwards released'. Additionally, there are structural slip-ups like 'goes through the a procedure'. While meaning is generally clear despite these errors, the frequency of grammatical slips prevents a higher score.

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

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