Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-28

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 diagram illustrates how a biofuel

called ethanol is manufactured.

Overall, the process involves

harvesting, processing and then the

production of biofuel which is after that

used in vehicles.

Plants and trees grow from the

sunlight and carbon dioxide, which

are then harvested. Preporessing starts

and cellulose is made. Which

go through the process under lab-

However, sugar is extracted and

microbes added. As a result of

ethanol is produced which is

then used in cars, trucks and

aeroplane. Furthermore carbon dioxide

released and the whole process

goes on to produce biofuel

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which severely limits the ability to provide a full and detailed summary of the diagram. While the response attempts to outline the process, it lacks the necessary depth and detail required for an Academic Task 1 response. Key stages are mentioned, but the description is fragmented and fails to provide a comprehensive overview of the production cycle. Because the response is only 92 words, it cannot adequately cover all parts of the task, resulting in a low score for task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organized into short, choppy paragraphs. While there is a basic attempt at logical progression, the lack of sufficient length makes the overall structure feel underdeveloped. Cohesive devices are used in a very mechanical and sometimes incorrect way, such as the awkward transition 'Which go through the process under lab-'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, and the flow between sentences is disjointed, which hinders the reader's ability to follow the process smoothly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite basic and repetitive. The student uses simple terms like 'grow', 'made', and 'added', which do not demonstrate the range required for a higher band. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'Preporessing' (likely a misspelling of preprocessing) and the awkward phrasing 'As a result of ethanol is produced'. The range of vocabulary is limited and does not allow for a precise description of the technical process shown in the diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors that impede clarity. There are sentence fragments, such as 'Which go through the process under lab-', and incorrect sentence structures, such as 'As a result of ethanol is produced'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, and the use of complex structures is largely absent or incorrectly applied. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of errors and the lack of grammatical variety significantly limit the score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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