Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-24
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 diagram illustrates the procedure of how a biofuel called ethanol is being materialized.
Overall, what stands out most from the given data is that the whole process consists of a total of nine steps. Meanwhile, the process starts from the plants and trees getting energy whereas, the last step is of transportation.
The process takes place when trees and plants collect energy which is made of sunlight and carbon dioxide that helps them to grow. In the next step those grown trees are harvested by humans. On to the next step the collected materials are pre-processed in a certain machine
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which severely impacts the ability to fully address the task. Because the text is incomplete, it fails to report on the main features of the entire process, stopping abruptly after only a few steps. To reach a higher band, you must describe the full sequence shown in the diagram, including the later stages like fermentation and distillation. The current response is too brief to provide a comprehensive summary or make meaningful comparisons, resulting in a low score for task achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response shows some attempt at logical sequencing by using transition words like 'Overall' and 'In the next step'. However, the abrupt ending makes it impossible to evaluate the overall structure or the effectiveness of paragraphing. The flow is interrupted by the incomplete nature of the text. To improve, ensure you have a clear introduction, a body paragraph that covers the entire process logically, and a concluding summary. Using a wider variety of cohesive devices such as 'subsequently', 'following this', and 'as a result' would help improve the flow between steps.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the task, such as 'illustrates', 'procedure', and 'harvested'. However, the range is limited due to the short length of the text. Phrases like 'materialized' are slightly unnatural in this context; 'produced' or 'manufactured' would be more precise. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to use more specific technical vocabulary related to the process (e.g., 'fermentation', 'distillation', 'dehydration') and avoid repetitive sentence starters. Expanding your vocabulary will allow for a more precise description of the industrial process.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The grammar is generally clear, but the range of structures is limited. You have used some complex sentence structures, such as 'what stands out most from the given data is that...', but there are minor errors, such as 'energy which is made of sunlight', which is slightly awkward. The sentence 'The process takes place when trees and plants collect energy...' is grammatically sound. To improve, try to incorporate a wider variety of passive voice constructions, which are essential for describing industrial processes, and ensure your punctuation is consistent throughout the text.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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