Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-07
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 shows how a biofuel called ethanol is produced.
Overall the process takes three to four major stages to produce ethanol , wich is use in different secoters. While its a cyclic process of biofuel production.
Firstly, using sunlight and energy plants and trees are grow. Then harvesting process is continue.Secondly, we clean the unnecessary particles from the main resources called as pre- processing. We collects the cellulose parts for processing in labs using some chemicals. From processing we identify the sugars particles for the next use. After that we added some microbes to create ethanol .
In the fourth stage ethanol now ready to use for different sectores. Like, use in aeroplane, and other vechiles. Whereas they are exhale the carbon dioxide in a large amount. Again it goes to plants , plants purify it and prepare for the next process.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You identify the diagram as a production cycle and cover several central stages, including plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, sugars, microbes and ethanol. You also mention transport and the return of carbon dioxide to plants. However, the overview is unclear when it says there are “three to four major stages,” and the account omits the key role of sunlight and carbon dioxide in plant growth. Some details are unsupported or imprecise: the diagram does not show cleaning particles or using chemicals, and it shows carbon dioxide released by transport, not that vehicles exhale it “in a large amount.” The response is also 15 words below the 150-word minimum (135 words; eight prompt words are excluded). Develop the stages more accurately and fully to address the task more completely.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a basic paragraph structure, with an opening overview followed by a description of the production stages and the later use of ethanol. Sequencing words such as “Firstly,” “Then,” “Secondly,” and “After that” help the reader follow the general order. However, progression is not consistently clear: “In the fourth stage” does not fit the earlier sequence, and “Whereas” introduces a fragment rather than a complete contrast. Some links are mechanical, while the abrupt move from processing to transport leaves the cycle’s stages insufficiently connected. Organise the body in the diagram’s exact sequence and use clear links to show how each output becomes the next input; this would make the overall progression easier to follow.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “cellulose,” “sugars,” “microbes,” and “carbon dioxide,” which helps communicate the subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, sometimes making the process less precise. For example, “plants purify it” is not an accurate description of carbon dioxide being absorbed during plant growth, and “sectors” is not the right word for types of transport. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “wich,” “secoters,” and “vechiles.” Aim for precise process language and check spelling; alternatives such as “is absorbed,” “transport modes,” and “is converted into” would suit this diagram better.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt both simple sentences and longer structures, and the overall meaning can usually be understood. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently in verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence construction. Examples include “plants and trees are grow,” “harvesting process is continue,” “We collects,” and “we added some microbes,” where the forms do not fit the sentence or the process description. The sentence beginning “Whereas they are exhale” is also incomplete and has an incorrect verb pattern. Practise accurate present-simple passive forms for process descriptions, such as “the plants are harvested” and “microbes are added,” and check subject–verb agreement and sentence completeness.
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