Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-14

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 Flow Chart given below provides the process of making ethanol.

Energy from nature reaches plants and trees and is then harvested after some processes, including chemical processes it converted into ethanol, which is used in vehicles; after that, it is converted into carbon dioxide.

Plants and trees consume energy from nature, such as sunlight, and carbon dioxide, which exist in very large amounts in nature. After they grow up, they are harvested by different methods, such as by manpower or specially modified machinery for harvesting. After that, it was transferred to different plants for further processing; at that stage, it is converted into small pieces and then into cellulose. Then we process it through different kinds of chemical processes at that stage it is converted into sugars

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, containing only 128 words. Consequently, the description of the process is incomplete, stopping abruptly after the sugarcane/plant stage and failing to cover the full conversion cycle into ethanol and carbon dioxide shown in the diagram. While the writer attempts an overview and identifies initial steps such as solar energy consumption and harvesting, the failure to complete the task significantly limits the band score. For Task Achievement, this results in a score of 5.0, as the task is addressed only partially due to the incomplete overview and under-developed final stages.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response exhibits some basic organization, beginning with an introductory overview and proceeding chronologically through the initial stages of the process. However, paragraphing is problematic; the student places the entire body explanation into a single, massive run-on paragraph. Cohesive devices are repetitive and overly reliant on basic sequencing words such as 'After that', 'at that stage', and 'Then'. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, such as the ambiguous pronoun usage in 'after that, it was transferred'. Progression stalls due to the lack of clear paragraph breaks and structural flow. This performance aligns with Band 5.0 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for basic communication but lacks the precision and range required for a higher academic score. The student uses standard terms such as 'plants and trees', 'sunlight', and 'machinery', but also relies on repetitive phrasing like 'different kinds of chemical processes' and 'converted into'. There are basic lexical choices and slight inaccuracies in word formation, such as 'by manpower'. Less common vocabulary is largely absent, and vocabulary is restricted to simple or descriptive terms. These limitations place the lexical resource firmly at a Band 5.0 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar and punctuation is weak. The writing contains major run-on sentences, notably the entire second paragraph, which strings multiple clauses together with commas and coordinating conjunctions rather than proper punctuation. Tense usage is inconsistent, shifting awkwardly between present and past ('it converted into', 'it was transferred'). Frequent structural errors and poor punctuation cause some difficulty for the reader. Therefore, a band score of 5.0 is appropriate.

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

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