Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-28

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 diagram illustrates how a biofuel called ethanol is produced.

Overall, various stages are carried out during the manufacturing process of ethanol. First and foremost process is planting trees. Energy such as sunlight and cabondioxide helps trees grow faster. After the tress are grown it is harvested and grounded, crushed and pulverized into smaller pieces as shown in the figure above. As it is preprocessed it changes into cellulose and is taken into laboratory for processing.

Similarly, it gets converted into sugar when taken into lab test. Microbes are added into the sugar and is left for sometimes, As a result, biofuel called ethanol is prepared undergoing the steps like plantation, harvesting, pre-processing, adding cellulose, processing, adding microbes.

In conclusion, ethanol can be manufactured by the above mentioned process and later on can be used by various means of tranportation such as cars, trucks and even in aerocrafts such as aeroplane.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the subject and give a broad sequence from plant growth through processing to ethanol, and you mention its use in cars, trucks and aircraft. However, the account only partially covers the diagram: it does not explain that ethanol use releases carbon dioxide, which returns to support plant growth and completes the cycle. Some details are inaccurate or unsupported, such as saying trees are “grounded, crushed and pulverized” and that the material is taken to a laboratory. The overview also lists stages rather than clearly summarising the key feature of a circular process. To strengthen the response, describe the carbon-dioxide loop and report only stages shown, distinguishing cellulose, sugars, microbial action and the final fuel.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable beginning, middle and ending, and the stages are generally presented in the order of production. Paragraphing also separates the initial stages from later processing and the conclusion. However, progression is weakened by unclear links and repetition: “Similarly” does not show a clear relationship, while the final sentence repeats the stage list already given. The overview is mixed with detailed steps, and the carbon-dioxide cycle is omitted, so the reader does not receive a complete sense of the diagram’s organisation. Use a concise overview, then group the stages into logical phases, and use precise transitions such as “Next” and “Finally” to guide the sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “preprocessed,” “cellulose,” “microbes” and “manufactured,” which helps communicate the topic. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or awkward for describing this diagram. “Adding cellulose” suggests cellulose is introduced, whereas the diagram shows it as an output of pre-processing; “lab test” is not supported by the visual. There are also spelling errors such as “cabondioxide,” “tress” and “tranportation,” which reduce precision. Aim for accurate process terms and natural collocations, for example, “the material is converted into cellulose” and “microbes are added to the sugars.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a time clause in “After the tress are grown it is harvested” and a result clause beginning “As a result.” However, errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. There are problems with agreement and reference in “it is harvested,” where the subject is plural trees, and “Microbes are added into the sugar and is left,” where the verb does not agree with the subject. Sentence boundaries and punctuation are also unreliable, particularly the comma splice and capitalisation in “sometimes, As a result.” Practise forming clear passive sentences for each stage and check that pronouns and verbs match their subjects.

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