Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-17
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 given sketch demonstrates the production of a biofuel named ethanol. it ellustrates the process of forming ethanol through various steps.
initially, plants and tress observe carbon dioxide and sunlight in them and they started their growing process. moreover, harvesting of these plants and trees occurs and then send these to a pre-processing machine which can split or divide it according to thier ingridient present in it. cellulose seprates from it then send it in lab for furthur processing and gave sugars.
subsequently, microbes were added in sugars which provides ethanol.
Then this ethanol used in different machines like cars , trucks, airoplane which exist carbon dioxide aftetr consuming ethanol. This carbon dioxide facilitates the trees and plants and having permanent source of energy.
ultimately, the whole cycle runs because of access of carbon dioxide attain from different sources and gave us ethanol after all the production process as shown in diagram.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You identify the subject and describe the main production stages, from plant growth and harvesting through pre-processing, cellulose, sugars, microbes and ethanol. You also recognise the cycle by noting that carbon dioxide from transport returns to support plant growth. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram does not show a machine splitting plants by ingredients or the cellulose being sent to a lab, and it shows sunlight and carbon dioxide as inputs to plant growth rather than plants simply “observ[ing]” them. The overview is also not clearly separated from the stage-by-stage account, and the role of ethanol as fuel for three transport types could be stated more precisely. Covering the cycle accurately and distinguishing the key stages would make the summary more complete.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response follows the broad sequence of the diagram, using markers such as “initially,” “subsequently,” “Then” and “ultimately.” This gives the reader a generally coherent route from plant growth to ethanol use and carbon dioxide returning to plants. However, the paragraphing is limited, and the opening repeats the idea that the diagram shows ethanol production without giving a concise overview of the cycle. Some links are mechanical or unclear: “moreover” does not express the relationship between growth and harvesting, while “then send these” leaves the actor unstated. The final sentence also repeats the cycle idea rather than adding a distinct concluding feature. Grouping the stages into clear paragraphs and using more precise links between them would improve progression.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “microbes” and “carbon dioxide,” which helps communicate the topic. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, sometimes making the process difficult to interpret. For example, plants “observe” carbon dioxide, vehicles “exist” carbon dioxide, and the diagram’s processing stage is described as a “lab.” There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “ellustrates,” “tress,” “thier,” “ingridient” and “seprates.” Aim for precise process verbs and check spelling carefully; for instance, say plants absorb carbon dioxide, vehicles emit it, and cellulose is processed into sugars.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a sequence joined with “and then” and a concluding sentence beginning “ultimately.” However, control is uneven, and errors in sentence structure and verb forms sometimes make relationships unclear. In “harvesting of these plants and trees occurs and then send these,” the subject of “send” is missing and the verb does not agree with the construction. “This ethanol used” needs a passive verb form, while “which provides ethanol” does not clearly agree with the plural “microbes.” Several sentences also begin with lowercase letters, and punctuation around commas is inconsistent. Practise accurate passive forms for process descriptions and check that each clause has a clear subject and correctly formed verb.
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