Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-11-02

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 process diagram illustrates the production of biofuel called ethanol.

Overall, it is a linear, multi-staged, straight forward process. It begin from sources of energy like plants and trees. After passing through many steps it again convert into carbon Dioxide and plays in loop.

Firstly, the main source of energy is plants and trees. It is harvested by farmers from forests. After pre-processing of it, it gives cellulose. Then cellulose is processed through large factories. After that it produce sugar and add microbes in it. Finally, ethanol is produced and it is used in vehicals like car, truck, and airoplane. This kind of vehicals generate gas like Carbon Dioxide from their use and it again join in the loop and finally biofuel is produced as ethanol.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the subject and describe the main stages from harvesting through pre-processing, cellulose, processing, sugars, microbes and ethanol, then mention its use in transport and the return of carbon dioxide. However, the overview calls the process “linear” even though the diagram shows a cycle, and the opening claim that plants and trees are the energy source is inaccurate: sunlight and carbon dioxide support their growth. Some details are also unclear, such as saying farmers harvest them “from forests.” The response is below the required 150 words, which limits how fully you can report the stages and explain the cycle. A more accurate overview and fuller coverage of the diagram’s key relationships would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable sequence: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph beginning “Firstly” that follows the production stages. Sequencing words such as “After,” “Then,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. However, the overview’s description of a “linear” process conflicts with the later reference to a loop, weakening the overall progression. Several links are also vague or repetitive, particularly “it again join in the loop” and “finally biofuel is produced as ethanol,” which do not clearly explain how carbon dioxide returns to plant growth. Use separate, clearly focused paragraphs and precise references to each stage and the cycle to make the organisation more coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “microbes,” and “carbon dioxide,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited and some choices are imprecise or awkward: “it gives cellulose,” “add microbes in it,” and “generate gas like Carbon Dioxide from their use.” “Sources of energy like plants and trees” also mislabels the plants’ role. Spelling errors such as “vehicals” and “airoplane” are noticeable, while repeated use of “it” makes some references difficult to follow. Aim for accurate process collocations, such as “is converted into cellulose” and “microbes are added,” and check spelling and capitalization consistently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use a few different sentence patterns, including the overview sentence and the sequence of clauses beginning “After pre-processing” and “Then cellulose is processed.” However, control of basic verb forms and agreement is inconsistent: “It begin” should be “It begins,” “it again convert” should be “it is converted,” and “it produce sugar” should be “it produces sugar.” The passive construction “After passing through many steps it again convert” is also faulty, and “it again join” lacks subject–verb agreement. Articles and sentence boundaries need attention as well. These errors sometimes make relationships between stages unclear. Practise accurate present-simple and passive forms, which are especially useful for describing processes.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.