Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-28
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 graph outlines the stages for the manufacturing of a biofuel known as ethanol. It follows a cycle which includes cellulose, sugars and its processing.
Firstly, energy from the sunlight and carbon dioxide are mixed together and it helps in the growth of plants and trees. After it, the crops grown up and the process of crops cultivation commenced. When it ended, the harvested crops are thrown into a machine for pre-processing. This machine separates waste and grains. The grains are further moved for the formation of cellulose. Then, it moves for the main processing step.
This processing stage converts it into the sugars. After it, the microbes are added into sugars. These microbes convert sugars into ethanol. The ethanol is used in airplanes which gives out CO2. It’s also used in trucks and cars which also excess out carbon dioxide. This process repeats again and again.
To conclude, the main part of this procedure is processing as it converts cellulose from grains and then converts cellulose into sugars. Which is crucial for its completion.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to summarise the diagram illustrating the cyclical production of ethanol. While the overall process is largely described in sequence, there are noticeable inaccuracies and omissions regarding the visual data. For instance, the text mentions that crops are 'thrown into a machine for pre-processing' which 'separates waste and grains,' a detail not supported by the simplified process diagram. Furthermore, the overview lacks a clear synthesis of the cyclical nature and the main stages at the outset. However, the writer does report the main features such as plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, conversion to cellulose and sugars, addition of microbes, and the release of carbon dioxide from transport. This performance aligns best with Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The text is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction and a brief conclusion, which provides a coherent overall arrangement. However, logical progression is occasionally hindered by abrupt transitions and awkward linking phrases such as 'After it, the crops grown up and the process of crops cultivation commenced' and 'Then, it moves for the main processing step.' Cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or inaccurate, and referencing is occasionally unclear, such as ambiguous pronoun usage regarding what 'it' refers to. Paragraphing is attempted but lacks sophisticated logical flow between the steps of the cycle. This corresponds to a Band 5.0 for coherence and cohesion.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, incorporating topic-specific words such as 'biofuel', 'ethanol', 'cellulose', 'sugars', and 'microbes'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and phrasing, such as 'manufacturing of a biofuel', 'excess out carbon dioxide' instead of 'release', and 'crops grown up'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with limited success and some awkward expressions. Spelling is generally correct, but vocabulary limitations and unnatural collocations cause some strain for the reader, placing the response solidly at Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response displays a mix of simple and attempted complex sentence forms. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with tense consistency, subject-verb agreement, and article usage (e.g., 'energy from the sunlight and carbon dioxide are mixed', 'the process of crops cultivation commenced', 'Which is crucial for its completion' which is a sentence fragment). While the meaning can generally be deciphered, the frequent errors in grammar and punctuation can cause difficulty for the reader and prevent the text from reaching a higher band. This reflects the Band 5.0 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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