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 diagram depicts the process of how a biofuel called ethanol is produced.

Overall, the procedure involves multiple steps, leading to the production of ethanol.The very most important stage for this process is when renewable sources are converted into chemicals. There are total 7 steps, among from which third and fifth are the major stages. And this a reversible cycle.

The process begins with by harvesting the plants and trees. Now in the next step, the crops which are harvested start to become pre-processed through machine into a small pieces. After that, it converts into a cellulose form and then go for the chemical process, where the solid materials transform into liquid form. In the next stage this liquid material turned into a sugar.

After the fourth stage, the sugar is mixed with the microbes to form an ethanol. And in the final stage, the ethanol is ready for the production. The vehicles which used ethanol released a C02 and then the process still continues in a reversible direction.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to summarize the biofuel production process, but it falls short in accurately reporting the main features and stages depicted in the diagram. The student miscounts the total steps, stating 'There are total 7 steps', whereas the diagram outlines a continuous cycle involving plants, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, processing, sugars, microbes, ethanol, and carbon dioxide release. Furthermore, the overview contains vague and inaccurate assertions such as 'third and fifth are the major stages', which do not accurately reflect the visual data. While the general sequence from harvesting to ethanol creation is touched upon, key elements like the role of sunlight and carbon dioxide in plant growth and the recycling of carbon dioxide back into the system are either muddled or poorly integrated. This corresponds to a Band 5.0 level of task achievement due to incomplete and partially inaccurate reporting.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay attempts a logical structure by dividing the response into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing the steps of the process. However, the organization and cohesion are frequently disrupted by mechanical phrasing and awkward transitions, such as 'Now in the next step, the crops which are harvested start to become pre-processed through machine into a small pieces.' Paragraphing is used, but the overall progression of ideas is disjointed. Cohesive devices are sometimes used inaccurately or repetitively, such as 'After that', 'In the next stage', and 'And in the final stage', which gives the writing a formulaic and clunky feel. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, such as 'where the solid materials transform into liquid form'. These issues place the response firmly in the Band 5.0 category for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with frequent word choice and collocation errors. Examples include 'become pre-processed through machine into a small pieces' (uncountable noun error and awkward phrasing) and 'the process still continues in a reversible direction'. The student attempts some less common vocabulary items such as 'reversible cycle', 'pre-processed', and 'cellulose', but these are often undermined by inaccurate usage or grammatical friction. Spelling is generally acceptable, but the overall lexical range is limited and minimally adequate for describing a technical process. This performance aligns with Band 5.0 descriptors, where vocabulary is restricted and noticeable errors cause occasional confusion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response displays a limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple and mildly complex sentences, many of which contain noticeable errors. There are frequent mistakes with articles, prepositions, and plurals, such as 'into a small pieces', 'Among from which third and fifth are the major stages', and 'The vehicles which used ethanol released a C02'. Subject-verb agreement and tense consistency also falter, as seen in 'The process begins with by harvesting' and 'released a C02'. While the meaning is usually retrievable despite these errors, the high frequency of structural slips prevents the essay from reaching Band 6.0, fitting the Band 5.0 profile where frequent errors persist.

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