Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-08

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 steps involved in the production of biofuel named as ethanol .

overall,there are numerous stages in the making of ethanol . Initially plants are trees are grown and in the end the final biofuel is delivered.

Firstly , the workers grow plants and trees which requires sunlight and carbon dioxide.secondly, farmers harvest the crops . After harvesting ,pre processing is done in which the useful part is separated from the plant which is then converted into cellulose .Subsequently, cellulose is sent for further processing in the factory .

After that , the cellulose is transformed into sugars eith the help of chemicals .Than, microbes are added in sugars to produce ethanol . Finally ethanol is transported by diffrent vehicles to the place of need in the form of carbon dioxide . Carbon dioxide is then again used by plants and trees for their growth.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram as a production process and include several key stages, from plant growth and harvesting through processing, the addition of microbes, and the return of carbon dioxide to plants. However, the overview is vague: “the final biofuel is delivered” does not explain that ethanol is used by transport, and the cycle is not clearly summarised. Some details are inaccurate or unsupported. The diagram shows sunlight and carbon dioxide enabling plant growth, not workers growing the plants; it does not specify that chemicals convert cellulose into sugars or that ethanol is transported “in the form of carbon dioxide.” The response is also two words below the required minimum. To improve, describe the main stages and the carbon cycle precisely, without adding processes absent from the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally understandable sequence, supported by paragraphing and signposts such as “Firstly,” “After that,” and “Finally.” The stages are mostly presented in the order shown, so the reader can follow the process. However, the linking is somewhat mechanical, and the overview does not clearly establish the cycle that connects the beginning and end. Some transitions also make relationships unclear: “After harvesting, pre processing is done in which…” is difficult to follow, while the final sentence introduces carbon dioxide without clearly distinguishing its release from transport from its return to plants. Use a clearer overview and connect each stage with precise references, rather than relying mainly on a list of sequencing words.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvest,” “cellulose,” “processing,” “microbes,” and “carbon dioxide,” which helps communicate the topic. There is some variety in how stages are described, such as “converted” and “transformed.” However, several word choices are imprecise or unnatural: “biofuel named as ethanol,” “the place of need,” and “in the form of carbon dioxide” do not express the intended relationships clearly. Spelling errors such as “diffrent” and “eith,” along with inconsistent forms such as “pre processing,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process collocations—for example, ethanol is “used as fuel in vehicles,” while carbon dioxide is “released” and then “absorbed” by growing plants.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a relative clause in “which is then converted into cellulose” and a time clause beginning “After harvesting.” These structures help show sequence and process relationships. However, errors are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward or unclear. For example, “Initially plants are trees are grown” contains a faulty construction, and “After that, the cellulose is transformed into sugars” is followed by the misspelled connector “Than,” which disrupts the sentence. There are also problems with articles, agreement, and punctuation, including “in the making of ethanol” and missing spaces after full stops. Proofread sentence boundaries and practise accurate passive forms, which are especially useful for describing a process.

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