Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-12
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 process chart illustrates the information about how ethanol is produced.
From an overall analysis is an evident that,there is an eleven stages of production of ethanol.It start from energy collectinng from sunlight and carbon dioxide and ending with Ethanol and ready to use for transports.
TO expound the chart in detail,production of ethanol starts from energy collects from sunlight and carbon dioxide . Following this plants and trees grows with this energy after they growing properly harvesting starts by the agriculture transport such as tractor .Moving further,once the harvesting is complete ,pre-processing is start through the machine then the cellulose are produce.
As further scrutiny reveals, once cellulose step is finish processing starts by the machanical machines.Furthermore,sugar and microbes added and finally, Blofuel production is done.Now,ethanol is ready to use for transports.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarise the diagram illustrating ethanol production, identifying several main steps such as sunlight and carbon dioxide collection, plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, and biofuel production. However, the length requirement of 150 words is not met, as the response contains only 134 words. This under-length impacts the overall development and completeness of the task. Additionally, while the main features are touched upon, the description lacks the level of detailed reporting and comparison expected for a higher band, remaining somewhat mechanical and brief. Consequently, the score is limited by both the word count deficit and the under-development of ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The text demonstrates a basic attempt at logical organisation, moving sequentially through the stages of the diagram. The writer uses some transitional markers such as 'From an overall analysis', 'Following this', and 'Moving further'. However, paragraphing is poorly handled, with the response clumping multiple sentences into very short blocks rather than developing coherent paragraphs. Cohesive devices are sometimes used mechanically or inaccurately, such as 'As further scrutiny reveals, once cellulose step is finish processing starts', which detracts from the smooth progression of ideas. Referencing is occasionally unclear, leading to a choppy and disjointed reading experience.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student uses a limited but minimally adequate range of vocabulary relevant to the topic, including words like 'ethanol', 'sunlight', 'carbon dioxide', 'harvesting', and 'cellulose'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors and awkward word choices throughout the text, such as 'energy collectinng', 'agriculture transport', 'pre-processing is start', and 'Blofuel'. These errors, along with frequent spelling and morphological mistakes (e.g., 'machanical' instead of 'mechanical', 'finish' instead of 'finished'), cause some difficulty for the reader and reflect a restricted control over word formation and collocation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5
The response shows a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple sentences and basic subject-verb patterns. Attempts at complex sentences often result in noticeable errors, such as 'From an overall analysis is an evident that,there is an eleven stages', which displays severe issues with subject-verb agreement and article usage. Punctuation and spacing are also problematic throughout the text, with missing spaces after commas and periods. Frequent grammatical and structural errors persist, occasionally straining the reader's ability to follow the intended meaning smoothly.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.