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 diagram below shows the process by which ethanol biofuel is produced from plant material and how carbon dioxide circulates throughout the cycle.

Overall, plants and trees grow by energy like sun light and carbon dioxide and endds up with the use of ethanol as a fuel. A key feature of the system is that carbon dioxide released during production and in the whole cycle.

Initially plans are grow by the energy. Once, the plants are mature enough they are harvested and sent to pre-processiong for cellulose production. The plant material is then converted into cellulose, which is transported for the furture processing criteria.

At the processing stage, cellulose is broke down into sugar. Microbes are added into the sugar for making the ethanol. the finished bio is used to power various froms of transport, including cars, trucks, and aircraft.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as a cycle and cover several key stages, including plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, sugar, microbes and transport. However, the account is incomplete: it does not explain that carbon dioxide from the vehicles returns to support plant growth, and the overview’s statement that carbon dioxide is released “during production and in the whole cycle” is unclear. Some stage descriptions are also inaccurate or vague, such as saying the plants are sent for “cellulose production” rather than explaining that pre-processing produces cellulose. The response is 140 words, below the required 150. To strengthen the report, describe the full carbon cycle and clarify each conversion in sequence, including ethanol’s use in three transport modes.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction and overview are followed by two paragraphs describing the stages. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially” and “At the processing stage” help the reader follow the process. However, progression is not consistently clear because some links between stages are vague—for example, “transported for the furture processing criteria” does not clearly explain the transition from cellulose to processing. “Once” is also used awkwardly, and the final paragraph stops after transport without returning to the carbon-dioxide loop. Use precise stage-to-stage links and organise the description so it follows the entire diagram, ending with carbon dioxide returning to the plants.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “harvested,” “cellulose,” “processing,” “microbes” and “ethanol,” which helps identify the main stages. However, the range and control are limited, with several noticeable spelling and word-choice problems: “sun light,” “endds,” “pre-processiong,” “furture,” “sugar” and “froms.” Some phrases are also imprecise or unnatural, such as “grow by energy” and “used to power various forms of transport.” These errors can make parts of the process difficult to interpret. Aim for accurate technical terms and natural collocations, and proofread spelling carefully. For example, describe plants as growing using sunlight and carbon dioxide, and say ethanol is used as fuel for different forms of transport.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more developed sentences, including the overview sentence beginning “A key feature…” and the sequence “Once the plants are mature enough they are harvested…”. However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships unclear. Examples include “plants and trees grow by energy,” “plants are grow,” “cellulose is broke down,” and “Microbes are added into the sugar for making the ethanol.” The overview fragment “A key feature of the system is that carbon dioxide released…” also lacks a complete, clear clause. There are inconsistent verb forms and missing or incorrect grammatical structures, as well as a lowercase sentence opening (“the finished…”). Practise accurate passive forms for process descriptions and check that each sentence has a complete clause and consistent tense.

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