Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-23

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 illustrates the process of production of a biofuel calles ethanol.

Overall, there are approximately 7 main stages in the production of ethanol, beginnig with planting trees and energy and ending with transports burning the ethanol and gives the smoke which is carbon dioxide that recycle. Along the way, the tress is harvested tl get

cellulose in order to processing it to obtain sugars and microbes added.

Initially, tress and plant gowrth cosuming energy which contains sunlight and carbon dioxide, then they haversted the trees and plants and pre-processing it in order to get cellulose. In the following stage, the cellulose obtained get processed to give compuned sugars to provide microbes added that they are going to use to get at the end the ethanol we need to use it in cars, buses, trucks and airplanes that burns it and gives us a gas called carbon dioxide that recycled and the process repeat.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages and gives an overall account of the cycle, from plant growth through processing to ethanol use and carbon-dioxide return. This is relevant and shows a generally accurate understanding of the diagram. However, the overview is not fully precise: it says there are “approximately 7 main stages,” although the process includes more distinct steps, and “planting trees” is not shown—the plants and trees grow using sunlight and carbon dioxide. Some details are also unclear or inaccurate: the diagram shows a car, truck and aeroplane, not buses, and carbon dioxide is released by these transport modes and returned to the plants. To strengthen the response, describe the stages more precisely and distinguish the production stages from the transport-and-recycling part of the cycle.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an identifiable overview followed by a paragraph describing the process, and sequencing expressions such as “Initially” and “In the following stage” help show the order. However, the progression is weakened by a very long second paragraph that combines many stages and the cycle’s conclusion in one sentence. Some links are difficult to follow, particularly “to provide microbes added that they are going to use to get at the end the ethanol.” The overview also repeats information that is then covered in the body. Use shorter sentences, give each major phase a clear step-by-step explanation, and use references such as “this material” or “the resulting sugars” to connect stages without making the sequence feel crowded.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses relevant process vocabulary, including “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “sugars,” “microbes” and “carbon dioxide,” so the reader can identify the main subject and stages. However, the range is limited and several word-choice, spelling and word-form errors make parts difficult to understand: “calles,” “tress,” “gowrth,” “haversted” and “compuned” appear in place of the intended terms. Some combinations are also unnatural, such as “gives the smoke” and “the process repeat.” Aim for accurate spelling and more natural process collocations, for example “release carbon dioxide,” “the plants are harvested,” and “the cycle then repeats.” This would make the description clearer and more precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

There is an attempt to use both simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “which” and “in order to,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in verb forms and agreement include “plants gowrth cosuming,” “they haversted,” “the cellulose obtained get processed,” and “the process repeat.” The long sentence beginning “In the following stage” also contains several clauses joined without clear grammatical control, making the relationships between sugars, microbes and ethanol hard to follow. Articles and sentence structure need attention as well. Build accuracy by writing one stage per sentence, checking that each subject has a matching verb, and using passive forms where appropriate, such as “the plants are harvested” and “the cellulose is processed.”

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