Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-20

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 4.0)

The given process chart illustrates how a biofuel known as enathanol is produced

Firstly, plants and trees are grown by the use of energy then the crops are harvested afterwards pre-processing takes place after that, cellulose is processed in order to form sugar bonds subsequently, microbes are added to form ethanol the last but not the least, ethanol is used in aeroplane, trucks as well as cars in the form of carbon dioxide which is often termed as CO2.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response significantly falls short of the required 150-word minimum, containing only 79 words. Due to this severe under-length, the task cannot be fully developed. While the writer attempts to outline the stages of biofuel production mentioned in the diagram—such as growing plants, harvesting, pre-processing, and adding microbes—the lack of length means the information is extremely limited, and important comparisons or details regarding the cyclical nature of carbon dioxide are omitted. According to the band descriptors, a response of this length cannot progress beyond a band 4.0 for task achievement because it only responds to the task minimally and lacks the necessary development.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The text consists of a single, run-on paragraph made up of a continuous string of clauses connected largely by basic sequential linking words like 'Firstly', 'afterwards', and 'subsequently'. There is a complete lack of proper paragraphing, which significantly impacts the logical structure and visual organisation of the essay. While basic cohesive devices are employed to string the sequence together, referencing and punctuation are heavily neglected (for instance, the complete absence of full stops or commas between independent clauses). This creates a breathless and unstructured reading experience, aligning closely with the band 4 descriptors for cohesion and organisation.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with several errors in word choice and spelling, such as the misspelling of ethanol as 'enathanol'. Phrases like 'the last but not the least' represent clunky, unnatural phrasing. The range of vocabulary is severely limited and restricted to words directly copied or slightly adapted from the prompt. While the intended meaning is occasionally conveyed, the frequent lexical inaccuracies and basic repertoire place this response firmly in the band 4 category for lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

Grammatically, the response demonstrates very limited control. The entire text is essentially one massive run-on sentence linked incorrectly with commas or missing punctuation altogether. There is a lack of varied complex structures used accurately, and basic punctuation is almost entirely absent. Errors such as 'plants and trees are grown by the use of energy then the crops are harvested' display comma splices and structural confusion. Because errors are frequent, sentence boundaries are ignored, and meaning is obscured, the grammar aligns with a band 4.0 rating.

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

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