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)

The graph demonstrates the process of biofuel called ethanol production and ways of spreading carbon dioxide after ethanol production.

Overall, the picture illustrates the 8 stages which involve in ethanol production inculding planting, harvesting, pre-processing, formation of cellullose, furture processing, suger separation, microbes and final product us ethanol. Additionally, carbon dioxide spread to environment by three modes of transportation.

To begin with the first stage plant and trees which involve in production of ethanol. Plant and trees get sunlight energy and carbon dioxide and grow. After their growth, harvester harvest the crops of plant or trees and process further go for pre-processing. Extra things are extracted in the process in the form of cellulose. Cellulose is used in medcal labatories and further processsing start there and suger is extracted. Different microbres are added and the give final product in the form of ethanol gas.

However, after ethanol formation as final product it is widely used by multiple transport modes and carbon dioxide is used by different sources which mix with the gases and water. Finally, carbon gas mixed with the natural sorces and further process start again and plant get it for their growth and process of Ethanol start again.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.0
Coherence and Cohesion6.0
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main stages from plant growth through harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, processing, sugars and microbes to ethanol, and you recognise the cycle linking transport use and carbon dioxide back to plant growth. This gives the response relevant coverage of the process. However, some details are unclear or unsupported: the diagram does not say that cellulose is used in medical laboratories, nor that ethanol is a gas or that carbon dioxide mixes with water. The overview also calls these “8 stages,” although the diagram presents more steps, including transport use and the return of carbon dioxide. To strengthen the response, describe the sequence precisely and focus on the diagram’s key cycle rather than adding explanations that are not shown.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing the production sequence and the later carbon-dioxide cycle. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “After their growth,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the general order. However, some links are awkward or unclear, particularly “and process further go for pre-processing” and “carbon dioxide is used by different sources which mix with the gases and water.” The contrastive “However” does not introduce a clear contrast, and “there” has an uncertain reference. Use direct stage-to-stage links and make each sentence’s subject clear; this would make the progression smoother and cohesion less mechanical.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “microbes,” and “transportation,” which helps convey the topic. However, spelling errors and imprecise word choices are noticeable and sometimes make the meaning difficult to interpret: “cellullose,” “suger,” “medcal labatories,” and “natural sorces” are examples. Some expressions are also unsuitable for describing the diagram, such as “ways of spreading carbon dioxide” and “ethanol gas.” Aim for accurate spelling and more precise process language, and avoid adding technical claims not supported by the visual. A wider set of accurate verbs for each stage would also improve clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, including “Plant and trees get sunlight energy and carbon dioxide and grow,” and the response generally communicates the broad sequence. However, some grammatical errors affect clarity. For example, “the 8 stages which involve in ethanol production” has an incorrect verb pattern, while “Different microbres are added and the give final product” contains an unclear subject and faulty clause construction. There are also agreement and article problems in “plant get it” and “the process of Ethanol start again.” Use complete clauses with clear subjects, check singular and plural agreement, and review verb forms and articles. More controlled complex sentences would help express the stages accurately.

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

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