Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-26
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 the process of production of ethanol. There are seven stages in this process.
Overall, formation of ethanol is quite complex process. It begins with cultivation and harvesting, ends ethanol which is formed by adding microbe. Between these mechanical and chemical processes take place.
Initially, Plants and trees are grown with the help of energy which includes sunlight and carbon dioxide. Then crops are harvested by machines once gets mature. These crops then passed through a machine called pre-processing machine, by this we got cellulose. Once cellulose are ready then they are added in chemicals for further processing.
Once, this process is completed we got sugar crystals, then microbes are added to sugar. At the final stage, we got ethanol, this ethanol is ready for use . It is used in aeroplane, cars and buses, they then release carbon dioxide which is used for plants growth and nourishment.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student successfully covers all the main stages of the biofuel production diagram, starting from plant cultivation and harvesting through pre-processing, chemical processing, sugar conversion, and microbe addition, to the final ethanol product and its subsequent release of carbon dioxide. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, outlining the overall cyclic nature and mechanical-chemical stages of the process. However, some parts of the description lack precise reporting of the visual data, and the overview could be more sharply focused on the core cyclical transformation. Minor omissions and slight inaccuracies in detailing intermediate steps prevent it from reaching a higher band. Overall, the response addresses all parts of the prompt adequately and meets the requirements for a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is organized into four paragraphs, moving from an introduction to an overview and sequential body paragraphs. Ideas are generally logically sequenced, following the chronological flow of the diagram from sunlight and plants down to ethanol and carbon dioxide recirculation. However, the cohesive devices used are sometimes mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent repetition of 'Once' and 'Then'. Paragraphing is utilized, though the structural division could be smoother to enhance readability and logical progression. Referencing is mostly clear, but occasional awkward transitions mean the cohesion occasionally feels forced, aligning well with the Band 6 descriptor.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'cultivation', 'harvesting', 'pre-processing', and 'nourishment'. However, there are noticeable word choice and morphological errors, such as 'ends ethanol which is formed by adding microbe' and 'by this we got cellulose' instead of 'cellulose is produced'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but phrasing is sometimes overly colloquial or imprecise ('we got sugar crystals', 'ready for use'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main steps of the process, these recurring inaccuracies limit the score to a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting relative clauses and conditional structures. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent, with frequent errors in verb forms, articles, and singular/plural agreement, such as 'Plants and trees are grown', 'once gets mature', 'These crops then passed through', and 'Once cellulose are ready'. Punctuation is basic, and comma splices or missing articles occasionally disrupt the flow of sentences. Because errors are frequent throughout the text, though they do not completely impede overall communication, the performance fits the criteria for Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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