Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-12
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 4.0)
The diagram below illustrates the process by ethanol,a type of biofuel,produce from plants and trees.
Overall, the process of ethanol is consisting of different stages beginning with plants and trees and ending with carbon dioxide which is then used again by plants during growth.
First, plants and trees grow by using energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide. Once they are fully grown then they are harvested and pre process. Second stage
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 3.0
The response is significantly under the required word count of 150 words, which severely limits the ability to address all parts of the task. The student provides an introduction and a brief overview, but the description of the process is incomplete, stopping abruptly after the second stage. Because the response is less than half the required length, it fails to provide a full summary of the main features or comparisons. To improve, you must describe all stages of the diagram, including the chemical processing, fermentation, and distillation phases, ensuring the entire cycle is explained in detail.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0
The response attempts to use basic cohesive devices such as 'Overall' and 'First', but the text is too fragmented to establish a logical progression. The abrupt ending at 'Second stage' indicates a lack of structural control. Paragraphing is not effectively utilized because the response is incomplete. To improve, you should ensure that each stage of the process is clearly linked using transition words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'following this', 'as a result') and that the response follows a logical flow from the initial growth of plants to the final production of ethanol.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.0
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'plants and trees' are used multiple times, and the word choice is limited. There are also errors in word formation, such as 'process' instead of 'processed'. To reach a higher band, you need to use a wider range of vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'cultivation', 'conversion', 'distillation', and 'by-products'. Using more precise terminology will help you describe the diagram more accurately and professionally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The response contains several grammatical errors that impede clarity. For example, 'the process of ethanol is consisting of' is incorrect; it should be 'the process of ethanol production consists of'. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and missing articles, such as 'produce from plants' instead of 'is produced from plants'. The sentence structures are simple and lack the complexity required for higher bands. Focusing on correct verb tenses for describing processes—specifically the present simple passive voice—will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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