Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

The presented process diagram demonstrates how a biofuel which is called ethanol is possessed. looking from an overall perspective it is evident that this combination of both man made and natural, cyclic process consists of three main stages including( plants and tree processing, addition of microbes and production of carbon dioxide).

Firstly, plants and trees are grown by consumption of energy in form of sunlight and carbon dioxide, then it is harvested by the humans, and it is shifted to pre-processing. Although cellulose is form by this, it is also processed for other outcomes.

on constrat,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is severely under-length, containing only 96 words against the required minimum of 150 words. This significantly limits the student's ability to cover all parts of the task fully. While the introduction attempts to outline the overall process and mention the initial stages, the response cuts off abruptly mid-sentence (‘on constrat,’). Because the description of the ethanol production process is largely incomplete and fails to summarize the main features and comparisons across all stages of the diagram, the task is only minimally addressed. To improve, the writer must ensure the full word count is met and all steps of the diagram—from raw materials through fermentation and distillation—are reported.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.5

The text demonstrates some initial organisational structure with phrases like ‘looking from an overall perspective’ and ‘Firstly’. However, due to the extreme brevity and abrupt termination of the response, overall progression is severely disrupted. Paragraphing is not properly managed, as the text trails off into an incomplete fragment. Referencing is attempted with cohesive ties such as ‘then it is harvested’, but the lack of a complete text prevents a thorough evaluation of cohesive devices. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to develop multiple cohesive paragraphs that logically sequence the entire cycle of the diagram from beginning to end.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student attempts some subject-specific vocabulary related to the prompt, such as ‘biofuel’, ‘ethanol’, ‘cellulose’, and ‘microbes’. However, there are notable lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as ‘ethanol is possessed’ instead of ‘produced’ or ‘generated’, and ‘man made and natural, cyclic process’. Spelling errors also occur, such as ‘constrat’ instead of ‘contrast’. The vocabulary range is basic and restricted by the short length of the text, leading to repetition and imprecise phrasing. Incorporating a wider range of precise, academic collocations would greatly enhance this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response includes a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as ‘The presented process diagram demonstrates how a biofuel which is called ethanol is possessed.’ However, control over grammar and punctuation is inconsistent. There are issues with punctuation, capitalization at the beginning of sentences (‘looking from an overall...’), and awkward relative clauses. Furthermore, the text terminates mid-sentence, leaving grammatical structures unresolved. While simple sentences are generally understandable, frequent errors and the truncated nature of the writing pull the grammar score down to the lower bands. Greater attention to sentence completion and punctuation is required.

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

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