Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-25

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 how a biofuel called ethanol is manufactured. Overall There was 8 different step to produce ethanol first step was plants and trees grow from gaining carbon dioxide energy and sunlight from air then they cut plants and trees after that they start pre processing and cut plants and trees in tiny pieces. Cellulose is produce from there then they start processing of making sugars in factory sugars was make from this process the last step is microbes added in sugars and then ethanol biofuel is produced. Then this ethanol biofuel was used to ride cars trucks and airoplanes and when this autos come on roads and air the carbon dioxide they release that become air again and the procedure start again of making plants and trees and this process begins again and that what why this cycle continues alway. This is a whole procedure of manufacturing biofuel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main stages and the overall cycle: plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, processing, sugars, microbes, ethanol, transport use, and carbon dioxide returning to support plant growth. This gives the reader a generally accurate account of the diagram. However, some details are unclear or imprecise. For example, the diagram shows sunlight and carbon dioxide as inputs to plant growth, but “gaining carbon dioxide energy and sunlight from air” muddles their roles. The overview says there are eight steps, although the process includes more stages, and the description of pre-processing as cutting the plants into tiny pieces is not stated in the visual. To strengthen the response, give a clearer overview and report the stages without adding unsupported detail.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response follows the process in broadly the right order, and sequencing phrases such as “after that,” “then,” and “the last step” help the reader follow the stages. You also connect the final carbon-dioxide release back to plant growth, which reflects the circular structure. However, the writing is presented as one long block, and the progression becomes difficult to track because several stages are run together in a single sentence. “Overall There was 8 different step” also does not clearly separate the overview from the details. Use a short overview paragraph followed by a logically grouped description of the production stages and the cycle’s return, with more precise linking and punctuation.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “pre processing,” “cellulose,” “processing,” “sugars,” “microbes,” and “carbon dioxide,” so the topic is usually identifiable. However, the range is limited and several expressions are repetitive or imprecise, such as “this process,” “make,” and “used to ride.” Some word forms and spellings also reduce clarity, including “airoplanes” and “alway.” Choose more precise process language and natural collocations: for example, say ethanol is “used as fuel in” vehicles rather than “used to ride cars,” and describe the stages as “cellulose is converted into sugars” rather than “sugars was make.” This would make the account clearer and more suitable for an academic process description.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to describe a sequence using both simple clauses and longer sentences, and the overall meaning can generally be followed. However, control is uneven, particularly in agreement, verb forms, articles, and sentence boundaries. Examples include “There was 8 different step,” “Cellulose is produce,” and “sugars was make”; these should use plural agreement or passive forms such as “There are eight steps,” “cellulose is produced,” and “sugars are made.” The long opening-to-ending sequence also contains several clauses joined without clear punctuation, making relationships harder to follow. Practise accurate passive constructions for process stages and divide the account into shorter, complete sentences. More reliable control of these patterns would improve clarity while retaining the sequence you are trying to express.

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