Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-20

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 graph illustrates the steps of production of a type of biofuel known as ethanol. The starting source of biofuel is energy gained from sunlight and carbon dioxide to plants and trees. Moreover, ethanol is consumed by vehicles of all types. As well as in aeroplanes.

The ethanol making process starts from plants and trees which grows by consuming energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide. Afterwards, harvesting of plants is completed and then an element known as cellulose is produces after some pre processing of harvested trees. Then, Cellulose is proccesed to make sugae elements. On the next step, element known as microbes is added in sugar to complete the processing of biofuel known as ethanol Ethanol is mainly consumed by cars and heavy vehicles. Moreover, planes also use ethanol to fly. All these vehicles consume ethanol and in result they release carbon dioxide which is again settled in air. The process remains same as the released carbon dioxide again become the energy souce for plants which later used to make ethanol.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main stages, from plant growth and harvesting through cellulose, processing, sugars, microbes and ethanol, and you identify the cycle in which carbon dioxide returns to support plant growth. The reference to cars, trucks and aeroplanes also captures the fuel’s uses. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: “carbon dioxide … again settled in air” does not explain that emissions from the vehicles feed back into the cycle, and “energy source” blurs the diagram’s distinction between sunlight and carbon dioxide. The overview is present but could state more clearly that ethanol production is a cyclical process. More precise reporting of the stages and the carbon loop would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows the process in broadly the correct order, and sequencing words such as “Afterwards,” “Then” and “On the next step” help the reader track the stages. The opening also introduces the topic before the description. However, the organisation is weakened by placing the overview and vehicle use in the introduction, then repeating vehicle use later. The final section combines ethanol use, emissions and the cycle in a long sequence, while the transition “As well as in aeroplanes” is a fragment that interrupts the flow. Group the response into a brief overview and a clearly sequenced process description, using references such as “these emissions” to connect the final stage to the plants.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “cellulose,” “microbes” and “carbon dioxide,” which allows the reader to recognise the main stages. There is also some attempt to vary wording with phrases such as “production” and “making process.” However, several word-choice and spelling problems reduce precision: “sugae elements” is unclear, “element known as microbes” is an inaccurate description, and “settled in air” does not naturally describe carbon dioxide returning through the cycle. Errors such as “proccesed” and “souce” are noticeable, while repeated use of “element” and “process” limits range. Choose accurate technical terms and proofread spelling to improve clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a relative clause in “plants and trees which grows” and a sequence of linked stages. The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but errors in agreement, verb forms and sentence construction are evident. For example, “plants and trees which grows” should use a plural verb, and “cellulose is produces” has an incorrect passive form. “The process remains same” is missing an article, while “which later used to make ethanol” lacks a finite verb. The sentence beginning “As well as in aeroplanes” is incomplete, and punctuation is missing between “ethanol” and the next sentence. Aim for accurate passive forms and complete sentences before adding more complex structures.

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