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 presented process diagram demonstrates how a biofuel which is called ethanol is retailed. 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 trees processing, addition of microbes and production of carbon dioxide).
To commence with, plants and trees are grown by the consumption of energy in form of sunlight and carbon dioxide, then it is harvested by the humans. Although it is shifted to pre-processing, cellulose is produced by this step. However, the cellulose also have being further processed.
Secondly, sugars are manufactured by it, while microbes are added in it for the production of Ethanol. Eventhough this is utilised by cars, trucks and aeroplanes, by the consumption of this biofuel carbon dioxide is produced. Nevertheless, these carbon dioxide gasses are entered into the atmosphere and it is again utilised by plants. As a result a cyclic process is formed.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student attempts to summarise the diagram showing the production of ethanol, identifying the main cyclical nature of the process. However, there are significant inaccuracies in reporting the data accurately. For example, the text states that ethanol is 'retailed' and used by aeroplanes, and that cellulose 'is produced by this step' before being processed into sugars. The instruction to make comparisons and fully report key features is only partially met because some steps are misinterpreted or confused. The overview is partially present ('cyclic process'), but the lack of accurate detail prevents a higher score. Therefore, it aligns most closely with Band 5.5 for Task Achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is arranged into three paragraphs, providing a basic framework, but the logical progression is frequently hindered by mechanical and confusing cohesive devices. For instance, the use of transition words like 'Although' and 'However' is inappropriate and fails to establish logical relationships between clauses, as seen in 'Although it is shifted to pre-processing, cellulose is produced by this step. However, the cellulose also have being further processed.' Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of ideas is somewhat haphazard, lumping harvesting, pre-processing, and sugar production together awkwardly. These features place the response firmly at Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The lexical range is limited and frequently inaccurate. The student uses basic vocabulary alongside some attempts at less common items, but word choice and collocations are often awkward or incorrect. Examples include 'retailed' instead of 'produced or distributed', 'man made' instead of 'man-made', and incorrect phrasing such as 'gasses are entered into the atmosphere'. While the meaning is generally decipherable, frequent errors in word choice and morphology restrict the score to Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but attempts at complex forms often contain noticeable grammatical errors. Examples include tense and auxiliary verb errors such as 'the cellulose also have being further processed' and punctuation issues like lowercase beginnings at the start of sentences ('looking from an overall perspective'). Passive voice constructions are attempted ('is produced', 'is harvested'), but accuracy is inconsistent. The frequency of grammatical errors causes some difficulty for the reader, matching the Band 5.0 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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