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 cycle illustrates how a biofuel named ethanol is produced.

Overall the process have eight stages of how biofuel can produced.

The process begins with the stage one of plantation, plants and trees grow with the help of sunlight and carbon dioxide this is called photosynthesis.

The second stage after harvest all the vegetations, the harvested material sent to the machine for pre-processing procedure where the vegetations converted into the cellulose. Then the product of stage three cellulose sent to the labs for further processing. Additionally, add sugars in that product and then introduce some microbes with the sugar which then convert it into an ethanol.

After all these seven stages,that end product an ethanol can be used as a fuel for all modes of transportation for example: car, lorries and planes. Those vehicles emit a gas carbon dioxide which helps the nature to grow vegetations again and this is how the cycle continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a cycle and describe the main stages from plant growth through processing to transport use and carbon dioxide returning to vegetation. This gives the reader a broadly relevant account. However, the overview says there are “eight stages,” while the sequence is not accurately counted or clearly distinguished, and the description misrepresents some links: sugars are produced during processing rather than added to the product, and the diagram shows microbes being added before ethanol is produced. The opening stages and the role of sunlight and carbon dioxide are also not explained precisely. To strengthen the response, give a concise overview of the cycle and report each key conversion in the order shown, without adding unsupported details such as “labs.”

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall sequence, moving from plant growth to harvesting, processing, fuel use and the return of carbon dioxide. The opening overview and the final sentence help frame the account. However, the stages are difficult to follow in places because the numbering is inconsistent: “second stage” is followed by “stage three,” then “seven stages,” despite the earlier claim of eight. Several long sentences join multiple steps without clear boundaries, particularly the sentence beginning “The second stage after harvest…”. Linking words such as “Then” and “Additionally” provide some progression, but the latter does not clearly express the relationship between processing, sugars and microbes. Use separate sentences for each major phase and consistent sequencing language to make the process easier to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “microbes,” “ethanol,” and “emit,” which allows you to describe the diagram’s subject matter. “The cycle continues” also conveys the circular nature of the process. Some choices are imprecise or unnatural, however: “plantation” does not accurately describe plants and trees growing, “vegetations” is not the appropriate noun here, and “sent to the labs” introduces a detail not shown in the diagram. Phrases such as “add sugars in that product” and “a gas carbon dioxide” are also awkward. Aim for precise process terms and natural collocations, for example “the harvested plant material is pre-processed” and “sugars are produced.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a relative clause in “which then convert it into an ethanol” and a time sequence beginning “After all these seven stages.” However, grammatical control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence structure and verb forms sometimes make the process difficult to interpret. Examples include “the process have eight stages,” “biofuel can produced,” and “the harvested material sent to the machine,” where auxiliary verbs are missing or incorrect. Agreement is also faulty in “microbes … which then convert it,” and several sentences run together without appropriate punctuation. Practise forming passive process descriptions, such as “the material is sent” and “sugars are produced,” and check subject–verb agreement and sentence boundaries before submitting.

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