Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-30
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 biofuel called ethanol.
Overall, the process diagram consists of around 7 stages, beginning with plants and trees grow by energy from sunlight and ends with microbes added to sugar for ethanol production.
Looking at the details, at first step, plants and trees grow by taking carbon dioxide and energy from sunlight. On the next stage, harvesting of these plants and trees take place by mean of heavy vehicle such as tractors. The next step is pre-processing of the harvested plants and trees which take place in machines and release cellulose.
Afterthat, processing of the cellulose take place in labs which then produce sugars. At final stage, microbes were added to sugar particles which produce ethanol. Ethanol is the type of biofuel and utilized by cars, trucks and airplans. These vechicles release carbon dioxide in the air which reuse by plants and trees and process start again.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by summarising the main features of the biofuel production diagram. An overview is provided in the second sentence, noting the cyclical nature and general stages of the process, which satisfies the requirements for an academic task 1 response. Key stages such as plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose extraction, processing into sugars, microbial addition, and ethanol creation are identified and reported. Comparisons or relationships, such as how the vehicles release carbon dioxide which is subsequently reused by plants and trees, are accurately captured. While the exact stage count is slightly misestimated as around 7 when the diagram contains more detailed steps, the main features of the process are well-covered, earning a solid band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is arranged coherently with an introduction, an overview sentence, and supporting detail paragraphs that follow the chronological sequence of the diagram. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the steps, such as 'Looking at the details', 'at first step', 'On the next stage', 'Afterthat', and 'At final stage'. However, some of these transitions feel a bit mechanical or repetitive. Paragraphing is adequate, although a more balanced division between the introduction/overview and the body paragraphs could improve the overall flow. Referencing is generally clear, allowing the reader to follow the cyclical nature of the process easily. This performance aligns well with the descriptors for band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a process, incorporating terms such as 'harvesting', 'pre-processing', 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'carbon dioxide'. However, there are noticeable word-choice and collocation errors throughout the text, such as 'plants and trees grow by energy' instead of 'using energy', 'take place by mean of' instead of 'by means of', and 'airplans' instead of 'airplanes' or 'aircraft'. Spelling errors like 'Afterthat' also occur. While the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main ideas of the process diagram, these inaccuracies restrict the score to a band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some attempt at variety. However, there are frequent grammatical errors in verb forms, prepositions, and voice. Examples include 'plants and trees grow by energy' (passive/active confusion), 'harvesting ... take place' (subject-verb agreement error, as harvesting is singular), 'microbes were added' (unnecessary past tense shift in a present process description), and 'which reuse by plants' (missing passive auxiliary). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the persistence of grammatical inaccuracies across multiple sentences means that communication is occasionally hindered, placing this response at band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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