Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-18

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 diagram shows the cyclical process of manufacturing ethano;, a renewable biofuel,from organic matter like plants and trees.

Overall, the production of ethanol is a closed loop cycle composed of multiple physical, chemical and biological stages.

To beginwith, in the initial stage of the cycle, plants and trees grow by absording energy in the form of sunlight and carbon dioxide from the atmosphare. one matured this biomass is haevested. once matured, . the harvested plant material than enters a pre processing facility where it is mechanically broken down to extract cellulose.

Futhermore, the extracted cellulose undergoes a processing phase when it is chemically converted into suger. next, microbes are introduced to ferments these ugers a bilogical step that succesfully generates ethanol.The finished biofuel is than distributed to power various modes of transphortion including cars,trucks,airplances.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as cyclical and describe the main production stages, from plant growth and harvesting through cellulose, processing, sugars, microbes and ethanol. The overview also recognises that several stages are involved. However, the account is incomplete: it does not explain that carbon dioxide released by vehicles returns to the plants, which is essential to the cycle shown. Some details are unclear or inaccurate, such as saying the material enters a “pre processing facility” and that cellulose is “chemically converted” into sugar; the diagram only labels these stages and does not specify those mechanisms. The response is also 16 words below the required minimum, limiting the detail reported. Include the return loop and describe each stage cautiously and fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable progression, with an overview followed by the stages in broadly chronological order. Linking expressions such as “To begin with,” “Furthermore,” and “next” help the reader follow the process, and the final sentence moves to ethanol’s use in transport. This meets the lower-band expectation of an overall coherent arrangement and shows some ability to guide the reader. However, the sequence is interrupted by “once matured, .” and the repeated reference to maturity, while the final sentence omits the return of carbon dioxide and therefore leaves the cycle unfinished. Some transitions feel mechanical rather than showing precise relationships. Use clear paragraphing and connect the transport stage back to plant growth to make the progression complete.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “renewable biofuel,” “cellulose,” “microbes,” and “modes of transportation,” which helps convey the topic. There are also attempts at more specific language, such as “mechanically broken down” and “biological step.” However, frequent spelling errors—“ethano,” “absording,” “atmosphare,” “suger,” and “transphortion”—make the writing less clear and reduce the effectiveness of this vocabulary. Some choices are imprecise or unsupported by the diagram: “manufacturing” and “facility” suggest details not shown, while “extract cellulose” does not accurately describe the labelled pre-processing stage. Check spelling carefully and choose neutral process terms that report only what the diagram establishes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of sentence forms, including a relative clause in “a renewable biofuel, from organic matter like plants and trees” and a longer sequence describing the conversion stages. The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but control is inconsistent. The opening sentence has faulty punctuation and spacing, and “one matured this biomass is haevested” contains an incorrect clause structure and verb form. The fragment “once matured, .” and the run-on joining “ethanol.The finished biofuel” also disrupt readability. There are problems with articles and sentence boundaries, for example “enters a pre processing facility” and the missing space after the full stop. Aim for complete, clearly punctuated sentences, and check tense and clause structure before adding complex details.

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.