Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-03

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 portrays the production of a biofuel called ethanol. Carbon dioxide plays an important role in the production of ethanol and it is mainly obtained from automobiles smoke and leftovers.

Initiating with the very first step in which carbon dioxide is consumed by plants and trees. It also helps them to grow, then it is harvested and go through a pre processing. It breaks down into cellulose and the sent to lab for further processing. Once it processed in lab, sugar is produced. Furthermore, the obtained sugar react with some microbes. Through all of these steps and processing, finally ethanol is produced. Later on, the ethanol is widely used in the production of gasoline and also different kind of fuels. In addition to this, it is used in cars and commercial transport. Even though aircrafts also consume the same type of fuel although it is more processed. Bigger engines requires a bit good quality of fuel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response provides an overview of the ethanol production process, but it fails to clearly identify and report the main features of the diagram. The description is somewhat disjointed, and the connection between the stages is not clearly articulated. For instance, the transition from 'pre processing' to 'lab' is vague. Furthermore, the response includes information not present in the diagram, such as the specific mention of 'automobiles smoke' and the quality of fuel for 'bigger engines'. To improve, you should focus strictly on the provided visual information and ensure the sequence of steps is described logically and accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organised into a single paragraph, which makes it difficult to follow the progression of the process. While some cohesive devices are used, such as 'Furthermore' and 'In addition to this', they are sometimes used mechanically or inappropriately. The lack of clear paragraphing (e.g., separating the production process from the final application) hinders the overall flow. To achieve a higher band, you should use clear paragraph breaks to separate the stages of the process and ensure that cohesive devices are used to link ideas naturally rather than just acting as sentence starters.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a technical description. Phrases like 'go through a pre processing' and 'sent to lab' are somewhat informal and imprecise. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'automobiles smoke' instead of 'vehicle exhaust' or 'emissions'. The range of vocabulary is limited, and there is a reliance on basic verbs. To improve, try to incorporate more technical terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'fermentation', 'distillation', or 'conversion'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('Bigger engines requires') and tense inconsistencies ('Once it processed in lab'). There is a limited range of sentence structures, with most sentences being simple or containing minor errors in complex construction. The use of articles and prepositions is also inconsistent. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that your verb tenses remain consistent when describing a process.

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