Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-04

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 shows the production steps of biofuel called ethanol. There are various steps in that process are given below.

In the first step of that process, energy is generated from the sunlight and carbon dioxide. After that the planted trees are grown and the harvest machine used. After completed the harvested process, pre-processing is started and create cellulose in that step. In addition, cellulose are ready for processing, by finished processed step sugars are created. On the next step microbes added in the sugar, also created ethanol. Then ethanol is used in transporation sector, like the cars, trucks and plane used ethanol for their working purposes. Furthermore, these cars and plains also generated Carbon Dioxide and that Carbon Dioxide engeged with the atmosphare. After that The ethanol process is working in daily basis.

Overall, it can be seen that the ethanol is created after various prosidures and it occurs everyday in the environment. It process is also the part of our daily life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production process, from sunlight and carbon dioxide to the final usage in transport. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the cyclical nature of the process, which is a key feature of the diagram. While the main steps are identified, the explanation of the conversion stages (e.g., 'cellulose' to 'sugars') is slightly vague. To improve, ensure that the relationship between the stages is more clearly articulated and that the summary highlights the most significant features rather than just listing every step sequentially.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the flow between sentences is often repetitive and mechanical. Phrases like 'In the first step', 'After that', and 'On the next step' are used excessively, which makes the writing feel disjointed. While there is a basic attempt at logical progression, the lack of varied cohesive devices makes the text feel like a list rather than a cohesive report. The concluding paragraph is also somewhat weak and does not effectively synthesise the information presented in the body paragraphs.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally limited and repetitive. There are several instances of awkward word choice and spelling errors, such as 'transporation', 'plains' (instead of planes), 'engeged' (engaged), 'atmosphare', and 'prosidures'. The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, but it lacks the precision and variety expected for a higher band score. To improve, focus on using more accurate terminology related to industrial processes and ensure correct spelling of technical and common terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, including issues with subject-verb agreement ('cellulose are ready', 'microbes added'), missing articles, and incorrect verb forms ('harvest machine used', 'finished processed step'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of commas. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar and sentence construction prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on sentence variety and proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy would be highly beneficial.

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

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