Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-15

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 process diagram illustrates the method of production of biofuel called ethanol.

Overall, the production of ethanol includes seven steps. The process of ethanol manufacturing begins from plants and trees growth. At the end microbes added and these are converted into ethanol.

The process of production of ethanol starts with the growth of plants and trees. After when the crops become ripe and the next that is harvesting begins. The next step is pre-processing of the material by passing through machine. When the pre-processing goes to completion and the material that obtained after pre-processing is in the form of cellulose. Cellulose is pass through different steps and by using funnels and beakers. The processing is done in lab. After the processing step, the cellulose that has used as reactant is now converted into sugars. When the microbes are added in sugars then the product is obtained that is ethanol. Ethanol is a biofuel that is used in various vehicles as a fuel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a process for producing ethanol and describe several central stages, including plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, processing, sugars and the addition of microbes. However, the overview is inaccurate: you say there are seven steps, while the diagram shows a longer cycle, and you describe microbes as the final stage even though they are added before ethanol is produced. Important features are also omitted, especially ethanol’s use in cars, trucks and aircraft and the return of carbon dioxide to support plant growth. Some details, such as funnels and beakers and processing in a lab, are not shown. To strengthen the response, give an accurate overview of the full cycle and report only features supported by the diagram, including its carbon-dioxide loop.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction and overview are followed by a paragraph describing the stages in sequence. This makes the main process reasonably easy to follow, and linking expressions such as “The next step” and “After” help signal progression. However, these transitions become repetitive, and some connections are awkward or unclear, as in “After when the crops become ripe and the next that is harvesting begins.” The overview also conflicts with the later account by calling microbes the endpoint. Organise the stages into clearer groups and use precise references to show what each material becomes; a final sentence could then explain the transport and carbon-dioxide return that completes the cycle.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “reactant” and “ethanol,” which helps communicate the subject. There is also some variation in how you refer to production, with “method of production” and “manufacturing.” However, several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “plants and trees growth,” “the material that obtained,” and “the product is obtained that is ethanol.” “Different steps” is vague, and “funnels and beakers” introduces unsupported detail rather than accurately naming a stage. Aim for precise process collocations and avoid repeating “step” and “processing”; for example, describe material as being converted into cellulose, then sugars, and finally ethanol.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including clauses beginning with “When” and “After,” and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, errors are frequent, and complex constructions are often not controlled. Examples include “After when the crops become ripe,” “the material that obtained,” “Cellulose is pass,” and “the cellulose that has used as reactant.” These contain problems with clause formation, passive verb forms and articles. There are also awkward sentence boundaries, particularly in “When the pre-processing goes to completion and the material that obtained after pre-processing is in the form of cellulose.” Practise accurate passive patterns for process descriptions, such as “the material is processed” and “cellulose is converted into sugars,” and keep each sentence focused on one stage.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.