Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)
The given diagram illustrates the information about the biofuel called ethanol how to produce.
Overall, it can be seen that biofuel production starting from energy of sunlight and carbon dioxide. However, after all the process it is ending in carbon dioxide.
To begin with, information about how ethanol is made. To commence from plants and tree grow sunlight and carbon dioxide energy to plants after plants are cut and harvesting by people then it keeps on preprocessing machine all main part is sprats and go through in cellulose after it is processing then sugars and microbes added.
Getting into further details, after all the process ethanol is make now ethanol is ready for sale and using in transport system for example cars, buses, and airplane etc. at the last, after consuming ethanol by vehicle its produce carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide helping to make energy to make biofuel called ethanol.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to cover the main features of the ethanol production diagram, providing an overview and detailing the steps from sunlight and carbon dioxide to processing and final use. However, the development is limited and somewhat confused. For instance, the statement that biofuel production starts from the energy of sunlight and carbon dioxide is a partial interpretation of the process. While the main stages are mentioned—such as cutting plants, preprocessing, adding sugars and microbes, and final use in transport—the description lacks precision and omits several key transitional steps shown in the diagram. Furthermore, the final stage loop back to carbon dioxide is noted, but the overall report lacks the clear, well-supported overview expected at higher bands. Consequently, this performance aligns most closely with Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0
The response attempts some logical organisation by dividing the text into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs ('To begin with', 'Getting into further details'). However, progression is unclear and the overall arrangement is hampered by weak cohesive devices and poor referencing. Phrases like 'it keeps on preprocessing machine all main part is sprats and go through in cellulose after it is processing' create run-on structures that are difficult to follow. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion is frequently faulty and mechanical. There is a lack of smooth transitions between the steps of the diagram, leading to a choppy and repetitive reading experience. This matches the characteristics of Band 4.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on simple words like 'process', 'make', and 'things'. The writer attempts some topic-specific terms such as 'sunlight', 'carbon dioxide', 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'transport system', but many are used inaccurately or ungrammatically, such as 'sprats' instead of 'separated' or parts. Word choice errors are noticeable throughout, for example, 'biofuel production starting from energy' and 'ethanol is make now ethanol is ready for sale'. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey a rudimentary topic, the noticeable errors and restricted range place this response firmly at Band 4.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The grammatical range is extremely limited, relying heavily on simple or poorly constructed complex sentences that often lack necessary verbs or subject-verb agreement. Frequent errors distort meaning or cause severe difficulty for the reader, such as in 'how to produce', 'biofuel production starting from energy of sunlight', and 'after plants are cut and harvesting by people then it keeps on preprocessing machine'. Punctuation is largely absent or misused, resulting in long, rambling sentences with little control over clause structures. These persistent, major structural errors are indicative of Band 4.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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