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 diagram illustrates production process of biofuel called as ethanol which is extracted from plants and trees. It includes multiple stages and processings to convert the plants into a fuel. This diagram shows how the chain works and starts because of carbon dioxide and ends on it as well.

Firstly the plants and trees gain energy through the process of photosynthesis which includes sun light and carbon dioxide. Secondly after the trees grow they are harvested with the help of machinery, After this stage the plants are pre processed and they are turned into Cellulose. Cellulose then are processed in refineries and labortaries. Moreover the refined product is known as Sugars, Lastly Microbes are added and ethanol is formed to be filled in cars and other engines.

However ethanol when used does a heavy carbon emmission which is again used by the plants and trees to gain energy creating an endless cycle of this process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response covers all key stages of the biofuel production diagram, from plant growth and harvesting through to processing, microbe addition, and the subsequent carbon dioxide release cycle. The student successfully identifies the main features and presents an overview of the cyclical nature of the process in the introduction and conclusion. However, some descriptions are slightly generalised or lack precise elaboration on specific intermediate components, such as cellulose and sugars. The length requirement is met. Overall, the task is adequately addressed, aligning well with the expectations for a Band 6.0 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay has a coherent overall arrangement and follows the chronological flow of the diagram logically. Paragraphing is used to separate the introduction, the main body stages, and the concluding cycle. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical, relying heavily on basic sequence markers like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'After this stage'. Referencing is generally clear, but punctuation errors around transitional words (such as missing commas after introductory adverbs) detract slightly from the flow. These features place the response firmly in the Band 6.0 range.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms like 'photosynthesis', 'cellulose', 'refineries', 'microbes', and 'carbon emission'. However, there are notable word choice and spelling inaccuracies, such as 'production process of biofuel called as ethanol' instead of 'called ethanol', 'processings' as a plural noun, and 'labortaries' instead of 'laboratories'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with mixed success. These lexical limitations and errors indicate a solid Band 6.0 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The text contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating an attempt to vary sentence structure. There are, however, several grammatical errors and punctuation issues, including run-on sentences and missing commas (e.g., 'machinery, After this stage' and 'Cellulose then are processed' where subject-verb agreement is faulty). While these errors do not severely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from achieving a higher band. The grammar reflects the criteria for Band 6.0.

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