Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-28
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 process chart demonstrates information about the simple procedure by which ethanol are produce.
Overall, it is apparent that there are eight stages in this picture, commencing with harvesting, and culminating in distribution.
Trees need energy in the form of carbon dioxide and sunlight. In sunlight and carbon dioxide trees perform photosynthesis which help to grow. The first stages is when crops are harvested by the help of tractor. The step after this, harvested plant reaches to pre-processing plant where, unnecessary things are removed and converted into cellulose. At the same cellulose are broken into sugars by doing lab processing. once sugars are made some microbes are added to sugars. This microbes use sugars as food and release ethanol as a by products. Then ethanol is distributed to vehicles like cars, transportation truck and also used in planes. Eventually, this all vehicles releases carbon dioxide when they use ethanol as a fuel. Ultimately, release carbon dioxide is used by plant for photosynthesis process.
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 covers all the key stages of the biofuel production cycle shown in the diagram, from sunlight and plant growth through to processing and carbon dioxide release. An overview is successfully provided, stating that there are eight main stages starting with harvesting and culminating in distribution. However, there are some minor inaccuracies and omissions in tracing the exact cyclic flow of the process, such as missing the initial energy and growth stage in the numbered count and slightly misrepresenting how carbon dioxide is reabsorbed. Despite these minor lapses, the main features are adequately selected, compared, and reported, satisfying the core requirements of Task Achievement at this level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is arranged into a logical overall structure, comprising an introduction, an overview paragraph, and a detailed body paragraph describing the steps of the cycle. Progression is generally clear as the reader is guided through the sequential steps. However, paragraphing is somewhat weak, as the entire body of the process is squashed into a single, dense paragraph rather than being broken down into logical phases. Cohesive devices are occasionally mechanical or repetitive (e.g., 'The first stages is...', 'The step after this...'). Reference words are used, but sometimes cause slight ambiguity. Overall organisation is coherent enough to follow without difficulty.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student attempts a range of vocabulary relevant to the diagram, including appropriate terms such as 'photosynthesis', 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'by products'. However, there are noticeable lexical and word-form errors that detract from precision, such as 'ethanol are produce' (instead of 'is produced'), 'lab processing', and 'this microbes' (plural/singular agreement). Less common lexical items are attempted but lack full control and accuracy. Spelling is generally acceptable, but word choices are sometimes basic or slightly unnatural for an academic context, limiting the band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses and temporal transitions ('When sunlight and carbon dioxide trees perform photosynthesis which help to grow'). However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are frequent errors in subject-verb agreement ('ethanol are produce', 'this microbes use', 'this all vehicles releases'), article usage, and prepositions ('by the help of tractor'). Punctuation is also occasionally neglected. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent the response from achieving a higher score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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