Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-02

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 how ethanol is produced which is a biofuel means it is made form plants.

Overall, it is clear that is the cycle of process and ethanol is a byproduct of plants(mainly sugar cane), the process start by planting and futher going through mainly sever processes and ends by adding microbes to form ethanol.

Firstly framers harvest plants which have high energy like sugar cane it is then transfered to the miles/processing unit where extract the main product and remaining cellulose is the transported to another company.

Where cellulose is processed mulitpel times to get sugars followed by adding microbes to get ethanol. Which is then send to fuel stations from where bus, cars, and other vicales are fules up which release CO2 now as cardon dioxide that is consumed by the plans and tree in the process of photosynthies.

AI examiner evaluation

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 you have identified the main stages of the ethanol production cycle, the description lacks detail and precision. For instance, the transition from harvesting to processing is described in very general terms, and the explanation of the cellulose processing stage is underdeveloped. To improve, you must ensure you cover all stages of the diagram with sufficient detail and meet the length requirement to allow for a full development of the information provided in the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical flow is hindered by awkward phrasing and a lack of sophisticated cohesive devices. Transitions between sentences are often mechanical or missing, such as the abrupt start to the final paragraph. The use of referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the progression of the cycle. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each sentence connects logically to the next to create a smoother, more cohesive narrative.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive, with several spelling errors that distract the reader, such as 'framers' instead of 'farmers', 'miles' instead of 'mills', 'mulitpel' instead of 'multiple', 'vicales' instead of 'vehicles', and 'cardon' instead of 'carbon'. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to describe the technical process accurately. You rely on basic terms like 'get' and 'things', which are not appropriate for an academic report. You should aim to use more precise, topic-specific terminology related to industrial processes and chemical cycles to demonstrate a higher level of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including issues with subject-verb agreement, sentence fragments, and incorrect word forms (e.g., 'the process start' instead of 'the process starts'). The sentence structures are mostly simple, and attempts at complex sentences often contain errors that impede clarity. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage. To improve, you need to focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct verb tenses, and proofreading for common errors like pluralisation and spelling before finalising your work.

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

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