Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-05
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 5.0)
The given process gives us the information about biofuel production. The process consists of 10 significant steps . It commences with growth of plants and tress by energy and culminates with emission of carbon dioxide into atmosphere .
A cursory glance at the process is adequate enough to reveal that the process of making ethanol is fairly simple. firstly, Trees and plants are harvested by a tractor and the material is then goes for pre-processing in order to make cellulose . In the following step , cellulose went through processing by chemicals in order to make sugars .
Finally, microbes are added in sugars in order to make ethanol . Moreover, Ethanol is then used by three different significant modes of transport which evolve carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Overall, after analyzing the process it can be clearly seen that this process follows systematic pattern and omission of any step can ruin the whole process.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main stages of the biofuel production process, from plant growth to the final emission of carbon dioxide. However, the description is somewhat superficial. While you mention the 10 steps, you do not detail the intermediate stages shown in the diagram, such as the fermentation or distillation processes, which are crucial for a complete summary. The overview is also quite generic; instead of stating that the process is 'fairly simple,' you should highlight the key transformation stages. To improve, ensure you provide a more detailed account of the technical steps depicted in the diagram rather than just a brief summary of the beginning and end.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use some cohesive devices such as 'firstly', 'finally', and 'moreover' to link ideas. However, the progression between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'the material is then goes for pre-processing'. The final paragraph is a bit redundant and does not add much value to the summary of the process. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, distinct focus that contributes to the overall flow of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range required for a higher band score. You use basic terms like 'making' and 'things' in a way that could be more academic. There are also some minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'evolve carbon dioxide' (the correct term is 'emit' or 'release') and 'added in sugars' (should be 'added to sugars'). To improve, try to incorporate more specific vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'conversion', 'fermentation', 'distillation', and 'by-product'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. For example, 'the material is then goes for pre-processing' contains a verb tense error, and 'cellulose went through processing' shifts tense unnecessarily. There are also issues with articles and prepositions, such as 'growth of plants and tress' (should be 'trees') and 'into atmosphere' (needs 'the'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to lower the score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage throughout your writing.
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.