Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-16

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)

This Diagram shows the cyclic process of biofuel ethanol is manufactured and consumed.

Overall, the production of ethanol consists of six stages beginning with growing of plants and trees from energy and ending with extract of carbon dioxide.

In the first stage plants and trees are growing with sunlight and carbon dioxide once mature, these plants harvested using machine such as tractors. The gathered biomass then undergoes to extract the cellulose .

The cellulose then sent to industry for processing after processing, the biomass became a sugars after that, the microbes are added to made a ethanol . This ethanol use as fuel for various transport like Car, trucks and aeroplanes. These vehicles extract carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide is later use for consumed by plants and trees so, this loop is not harmful because the carbon dioxide come from transportation is used for production of ethanol.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as cyclical and cover the main sequence from plant growth through processing to transport use and carbon dioxide returning to plants. However, the overview says there are “six stages,” which does not accurately represent the diagram’s fuller sequence, and “ending with extract of carbon dioxide” is unclear. Some details are also imprecise: the diagram shows cellulose being processed into sugars, then microbes being added to produce ethanol; it does not say the biomass itself becomes sugars. The environmental conclusion that the loop is “not harmful” goes beyond what the diagram establishes. The response is three words below the required minimum, and the limited development and inaccuracies leave parts of the task only partially addressed. Describe the stages and cycle more precisely, without adding unsupported claims.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and a chronological account of the process. Sequencing expressions such as “In the first stage,” “then,” and “after that” help the reader follow the stages. However, progression is weakened by long, loosely joined sentences, particularly the final sentence, which combines fuel use, carbon dioxide release, plant growth, and an evaluation of the cycle. Punctuation and transitions are sometimes inadequate, and references such as “these plants” and “the biomass” are not always precise. The overview also does not clearly summarise the full cycle. Use separate sentences for distinct stages and make the return of carbon dioxide to plant growth the central organising idea.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvested,” “cellulose,” “processing,” “microbes,” and “carbon dioxide,” so the topic is generally clear. There is some attempt at more specific wording, but several choices are inaccurate or unnatural and sometimes obscure the intended meaning: “extract of carbon dioxide,” “undergoes to extract the cellulose,” and “the biomass became a sugars.” “Industry” is also less precise than the diagram’s processing facility, and “use as fuel” is an awkward collocation. These issues reflect a limited but task-relevant range rather than consistently controlled vocabulary. Choose standard process terms and check collocations and word forms; for example, describe cellulose as being processed into sugars and ethanol as being used as fuel.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a conditional time clause in “once mature” and a sequence linked with “after processing.” However, errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships between stages difficult to follow. Examples include “ethanol is manufactured and consumed,” “plants and trees are growing,” “the microbes are added to made a ethanol,” and “carbon dioxide is later use.” These show problems with verb forms, articles, agreement, and sentence construction. Several clauses are joined without adequate punctuation, as in the opening process description and the final sentence. Practise accurate passive forms for process descriptions (“is harvested,” “is processed,” “is added”) and divide long sequences into complete sentences. This will make your range of structures clearer and more reliable.

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