Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-18

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 process explains that how a biofuel called ethanol is produced.

Overall, it is crystal clear that there are various steps of the given process. Every step is as much important as without it, whole process will be disturbed. It is reversible process.

At a fleeting glance, it i s evident that plants and trees are growing with the help of energy which comes in the form of sunlight and carbon dioxide. Then, it is harvested with the help of tractors. In the third step, leaves and barks are cutted into fragments in pre-processing. Cellulose is formed and it willn taklen into lab for experiment. In the sixth stage, Sugar is obtained and maicrobes will mbe added to make ethanol. It will provided to means of vehicles like cars and trucks etc. In return, they will give carbon dioxide and it will again mixed with energy. The whole process will be started again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The candidate attempts to describe the main features of the diagram illustrating how ethanol is produced. However, the response suffers from significant weaknesses in task completion. The opening sentence contains a grammatical error and fails to properly introduce the diagram ("The process explains that how a biofuel..."). While the text touches upon several stages such as plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, and processing, the description of the cycle is quite superficial and misses key elements of the feedback loop, such as the specific role of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, the overview paragraph is poorly constructed, containing subjective commentary ("Every step is as much important as without it, whole process will be disturbed") rather than an objective summary of main trends or stages as required in Academic Task 1. Consequently, the task achievement is limited, leading to a band score of 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organized into short paragraphs, attempting to follow a logical progression from the beginning to the end of the process. Cohesive devices are used to sequence events, such as "Then", "In the third step", and "In the sixth stage". However, the overall organization is somewhat disjointed. The introductory sentences are awkward and mechanical, and the paragraphing breaks down basic ideas into fragmented thoughts. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as shifting pronouns without a clear antecedent ("Then, it is harvested"). While there is a basic attempt to guide the reader through the stages, the lack of sophisticated cohesive links and the mechanical nature of the transitions place this response firmly in the band 5.0 category.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, showing a limited range appropriate for an academic task. Words like "process", "step", and "plant" are reused without much variation. There are also noticeable lexical errors and awkward collocations, such as "cutted into fragments" (instead of "cut into pieces" or "fragmented") and "maicrobes will mbe added" (spelling and phrasing issues). While the candidate attempts to use some less common items like "pre-processing", "cellulose", and "microbes", the frequent errors in word formation and spelling cause some distraction and occasionally impede smooth reading. This performance aligns with the descriptors for Band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

The response exhibits a very limited range of grammatical structures. Most sentences are simple or attempt complex forms that result in noticeable errors. Examples of grammatical inaccuracies include "The process explains that how a biofuel called ethanol is produced" (redundant clause structure), "Every step is as much important as without it" (missing articles and incorrect comparative structure), and "it willn taklen into lab" (severe typographical and grammatical breakdown). Additionally, modal and tense inconsistencies appear throughout, such as mixing future forms unnecessarily ("it willn taklen", "maicrobes will mbe added"). These frequent errors cause difficulty for the reader and reflect a weak control of grammar, justifying a band score of 4.5.

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