Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-06

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 represent how the manufacturing of fuel known as ethanol is manufacture.It is produced mainly by naturally avaliable materials and then they are treated into factories and then final product is manufacture.

Overall, it is a cycle through which this biofuel is made start from haversting and end on adding microbes.Final product used in different modes of transportation and by its burning carbon dioxide is produced which is again used by trees for there growth.

In the first step trees are harvested and after this pre-processing is performed during this step material that produced is known as cellulose.This cellulose is processed and after this sugar is made and then microbes are added and this is the final step after which ethanol is produced and it is used in cars,trucks and airplanes.When ethanol is burned carbon dioxide generates which is again used as a source of energy for the growth of trees and this cycle continues automatically.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all the key stages of the ethanol production cycle shown in the diagram, meeting the requirements for a balanced overview and detailed reporting of main features. The writer identifies the starting point of the process involving plants and energy, traces through harvesting, pre-processing into cellulose, processing into sugars, the addition of microbes, and finally the production and consumption of ethanol which releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. While the main features are successfully identified and outlined, some parts of the response lack full extension and detailed support, keeping the score within the mid-range. For example, the description of the transformation stages could be elaborated with slightly more precision regarding the cyclic nature of the carbon emissions. Nevertheless, the selection of information is relevant and provides a clear summary of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear progression from the beginning of the cycle to the end. The text is divided into an introduction, an overview paragraph, and a body paragraph detailing the steps in chronological order. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or faulty, and referencing is occasionally unclear. For instance, sentences are joined with simple coordinating conjunctions like 'and then' rather than a wider range of sophisticated cohesive devices, and punctuation is occasionally neglected (such as missing spaces after periods). Paragraphing is also somewhat compressed, as the overview and body details are merged into dense blocks of text. To reach a higher band, the writer needs to employ more flexible cohesive devices and structure the paragraphs with distinct functional boundaries.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, demonstrating an attempt to incorporate less common items relevant to the diagram, such as 'manufacturing', 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'transportation'. However, the lexical range is limited and contains noticeable errors in word choice, form, and spelling that occasionally impede communication. Examples include spelling errors like 'avaliable' instead of available and 'haversting' instead of harvesting, as well as awkward word choices such as 'the manufacturing of fuel known as ethanol is manufacture' and 'material that produced'. These inaccuracies reflect a limited control over word formation and collocation, preventing the response from achieving a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some capability to link clauses together. However, there is a limited range of grammatical structures successfully controlled, and frequent errors in basic grammar, subject-verb agreement, and articles are present throughout the text. Examples include 'The diagram represent' instead of represents, 'cycles through which this biofuel is made start from' instead of starting, and 'for there growth' instead of their growth. Punctuation errors are also notable, such as run-on sentences and missing capitalization at the beginning of new sentences following periods. These persistent errors mean that while communication is generally maintained, the grammatical control remains restricted.

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