Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-07
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)
To make biofuel called ethanol, trees and plants are being harvested as we know that plants takes in carbon dioxide which is an essential element for ethanol. After harvesting trees, they further put in a machine which do a pre process before the main processing. The pre processing converts huge tress or plants in a form called cellulose. Then the cellulose is again goes for processing. Later this processing converts cellulose into sugars. Then the most significant part came, microbes were added in sugars to make the final outcome of ethanol. Afterwards, the biofuel or ethanol was added to the vehicles like cars, vans, buses, planes and others. These transportations or vehicles gives out carbon dioxide and which got mixed with sunlight to make energy. Then this process repeats to make ethanol.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While the student identifies the main stages of the ethanol production process, the description is overly simplistic and lacks the analytical depth required for an Academic Task 1 response. The summary does not effectively highlight key features or make meaningful comparisons between the stages. Furthermore, the explanation of the cycle is somewhat repetitive and lacks the formal, objective tone expected in an academic report. To improve, the student should expand on the technical details provided in the diagram and ensure the response meets the length requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is written as a single paragraph, which hinders the logical flow of information. While there is a chronological progression, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and repetitive, with phrases like 'Then' and 'Afterwards' used at the start of almost every sentence. This makes the text feel disjointed. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the sentence 'Then the cellulose is again goes for processing', where the grammatical structure is faulty. To improve, the student should use a wider variety of linking words and organize the response into clear paragraphs, such as one for the production process and another for the cycle/usage.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple verbs like 'make', 'put', and 'gives out'. There is little attempt to use academic or technical terminology appropriate for a process description. For example, 'huge tress' is imprecise, and 'most significant part came' is informal. The student struggles with word forms, such as 'transportations' (uncountable) and 'pre process' (should be a noun or hyphenated adjective). To achieve a higher band, the student needs to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'fermentation', 'conversion', or 'by-product'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('plants takes in'), tense consistency (switching between present and past), and sentence structure ('Then the cellulose is again goes for processing'). The range of structures is limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, which are necessary for higher band scores. To improve, the student should focus on mastering basic sentence construction and ensuring consistent verb tenses when describing a continuous process.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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