Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-13

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 demonstrates the step by step process of how biofuel called ethanol is produced.There are planety ofsteps in production of ethanol.

In the first and foremoost step, plants and trees which consumed sunlight and carbon dioxide are harvested. The next step is pre-processing which results in production of cellulose which is then further processed into sugar. During the production of sugar diverse chemicals process were taken on cellulose after that sugar is produced. Furthermore, microbes are added in sugar after that finally ethanol is produced.

The produced ethanol is used in different automobiles such as cars, buses and aeroplanes but every ethanol consumption vehicle releases carbo dioxide. This carbon dioxide is further consumed by trees and plants.

Overall, the production of ethanol is a recyling cycle that begins with harvesting of trees that was grown by carbon dioxide then the whole process continue and at last the carbon dioxide is also produced by the automobiles that utilize the ethonal

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main stages and the cyclical nature of ethanol production, including plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, sugar, microbes, ethanol use and carbon dioxide returning to plants. This gives the reader a generally accurate account of the process. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: plants are described as being harvested after they have “consumed” sunlight and carbon dioxide, rather than growing with these inputs, and “diverse chemicals” is not shown in the diagram. You also name buses, whereas the visual shows a truck, and the overview comes at the end rather than clearly highlighting the cycle at the outset. To strengthen the response, report the stages precisely and avoid adding unsupported details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall sequence, moving from plant growth through processing to fuel use and the return of carbon dioxide. Paragraphing also separates the production stages from the use of ethanol, and linking expressions such as “The next step” and “Furthermore” help guide the reader. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear: “after that” is repeated, and the sentence about “diverse chemicals process” interrupts the otherwise logical account. The final overview repeats information already given rather than providing a concise, clearly signposted summary. Improve progression by grouping the stages in order, using precise references such as “this material,” and placing a brief overview before the detailed sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “microbes,” and “carbon dioxide,” which helps communicate the subject. There is some variation in wording, such as “produced” and “consumed,” but the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or awkward. For example, “diverse chemicals process were taken on cellulose” does not clearly describe the diagram, while “ethanol consumption vehicle” is an unnatural phrase. Spelling errors such as “foremoost,” “recyling,” and “ethonal” also reduce precision. Aim for accurate process collocations and check spelling; for instance, describe vehicles as “powered by ethanol” and say that cellulose “is processed into sugars.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a relative clause in “plants and trees which consumed sunlight and carbon dioxide” and a passive construction in “microbes are added.” The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but some sentence structures and verb forms are faulty. For example, “which consumed” does not express the intended ongoing process, and “diverse chemicals process were taken” has an unclear grammatical structure and agreement. The opening also runs two sentences together at “produced.There,” and the final sentence shifts awkwardly between “begins” and “was grown.” Use controlled passive forms to describe stages, keep verb tense consistent, and punctuate sentence boundaries carefully.

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