Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-20
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 data below shows the total process involve in the production of a biofuel called ethanol.
The process starts when a plant takes energy from the atmosphere in terms of sunlight and carbon dioxide, which helps the plant to grow and develop. After the plant fully grows it is harvested and is taken for pre-processing, which breaks the plants in cellulose. Further the cellulose is been processed and its internal structure is examine in the science lab. The final step involves addition of microbes in the cellulose in order to convert it in ethanol. Furthermore, manufactured ethanol is used in cars, trucks and other means of transport which releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which is again used by the plants for it's development.
In conclusion, the process of making ethanol is a never ending process as plants need carbon dioxide which is released from the vehicles as a by product of 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 gives a broad overview of the ethanol production process but lacks detail and clarity in some areas. For instance, it mentions the plant being harvested but fails to explain what specific type of plant is used, which is crucial to understanding ethanol production. Additionally, the explanation of pre-processing and the examination in the lab is vague and lacks specifics to illustrate how these processes contribute to ethanol production. Finally, the conclusion introduces a broader interaction between carbon dioxide and plants without sufficiently connecting it back to ethanol production. Overall, this lowers the clarity and completeness of the task achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The organization of the response is somewhat coherent, starting with the energy absorption by plants and leading to the final product, ethanol. However, the use of transitional phrases is minimal; for example, "after" could enhance the flow between the growth stage and harvesting. The conclusion attempts to present a cyclical nature of the process but abruptly shifts focus without linking back to the production process adequately. Improving the logical sequence and enhancing cohesion with better connectors would contribute to a clearer response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The lexical resource is at a functional level, using some appropriate terminology (e.g., "ethanol," "biomass") but also including inaccuracies that detract from the overall clarity. Words like "examine" are used incorrectly and should be replaced with terminology like "analyze" or "assess" to improve precision. Other phrases such as "energy from the atmosphere" can be more accurately expressed as "solar energy and carbon dioxide." Overall, there is a mixture of applicable vocabulary and some unclear choices, impacting the effectiveness of the response significantly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
Grammatically, the response has several issues that affect overall clarity and accuracy. For example, phrases such as "which helps the plant to grow" should be rephrased for consistency, and sentences such as "further the cellulose is been processed" demonstrate a tense error. The use of singular and plural forms is occasionally incorrect, as in "it's development," where it should be "its development." While there is a basic grasp of sentence structures, the presence of these grammatical errors can cause confusion and hinder effective communication.
Overall feedback
This response outlines the process of ethanol production, indicating an understanding of the steps involved. However, to improve, focus on providing more specific details about each step, including what plant is used and clearer definitions of processes. Additionally, enhancing cohesion through better transitional phrases and a more structured flow will improve clarity. Vocabulary accuracy is essential, so consider revising weak word choices for more precise language. Practicing writing detailed summaries with a logical flow will help strengthen your overall writing skills for IELTS.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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