Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-30

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 about how a biofuel named ethanol is produced. It includes mainly seven steps in order to make a fully ethanol.

In the first step it includes growing of plants and trees with the help of energy. This energy is given to the, with the help of sun and carbon and oxide in order to make it a fully matured crop for harvesting. This crop is then harvested with the help of agricultural machines.Then the have to go in pre-processing in order to make it their celluslose.The cellulose is then go to several other chemical processes.

It includes the processing of cellulose and adding some amount of sugar in it.The final process includes adding microbes in it and making the final useful product named ethanol.

The ethanol is then used for many several purposes such as for many transports like cars,trucks and aeroplanes. This tranports then produces carbon dioxide which then came again to the former process which is growing of plants with the help of energy,sun and carbon dioxide.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.0
Coherence and Cohesion6.0
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main stages from plant growth through harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, processing, microbes and ethanol, and you also identify the transport uses and the return of carbon dioxide to plant growth. This gives the reader a broadly accurate account of the cycle. However, the overview is not clearly separated from the stage-by-stage description, and the claim that there are “seven steps” is imprecise given the sequence shown. Some details are unclear or inaccurate: the diagram shows sugars as an output of processing, rather than sugar being added, and it does not specify “several other chemical processes.” To strengthen the response, state the cyclical nature and the role of carbon dioxide in a concise overview, then describe the stages precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The stages are presented in a generally logical order, and sequencing phrases such as “In the first step,” “then,” and “The final process” help the reader follow the production sequence. The final sentence also connects transport use with the return of carbon dioxide to plant growth. However, the response is written as one continuous block, so the overview and process details are not clearly distinguished. Some links are awkward or unclear, particularly “This energy is given to the, with the help of sun” and “which then came again to the former process.” Use separate paragraphs for the overview and the stages, and make references explicit—for example, name carbon dioxide as the material returned to the plants.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “processing,” “microbes,” and “carbon dioxide,” which allows the main stages to be identified. There is also some attempt to vary wording with phrases such as “final useful product.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, including “a fully ethanol,” “some amount of sugar in it,” and “many several purposes.” Spelling errors such as “celluslose” and “tranports” also reduce precision. Aim for concise, standard process language and use the diagram’s labels accurately: for example, say that processing produces sugars, rather than that sugar is added. Proofreading technical terms would further improve clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response includes a mix of simple statements and longer sentences, and the sequence is usually understandable. However, control of sentence structure and verb forms is uneven. Examples include “This energy is given to the” (an incomplete construction), “The cellulose is then go,” and “which then came again,” where the verb forms do not fit the sentence. There are also problems with articles and agreement in “a fully ethanol” and “This tranports then produces.” These errors sometimes make relationships between stages difficult to follow. Practise forming complete clauses with consistent present simple verbs for process descriptions, and check subject–verb agreement and articles. Shorter, accurately controlled sentences would help before adding more complex structures.

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