Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)
The given process chart illustrates how a biofuel called ethanol is produced.
First and foremost trees and plants are grown by the use of energy then the crops are harvested afterwards through pre processing cellulose is formed, after the processing of cellulose sugars are formed then microbes are added then, ethanol is used in the form of carbon dioxide in various vehicles for instance, aeroplane, trucks as well as trucks.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, containing only 70 words. Consequently, the summary of the process is severely underdeveloped. While the student correctly identifies the general topic—how ethanol is produced from plants—important stages and the cyclical nature of the carbon dioxide release are omitted or described very superficially. For instance, the sequence jumps rapidly from harvesting to pre-processing and processing without detailing the intermediary steps such as cellulose, sugars, and the addition of microbes. Due to the extreme under-length and incomplete reporting of the main features, this response aligns with Band 4 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0
The text is written as a single, very long run-on sentence rather than being organized into logical paragraphs. Cohesive devices are minimal, repetitive, and misused ('First and foremost', 'then', 'afterwards through pre processing', 'then', 'after the processing', 'then', 'then, ethanol is used... as well as trucks'). There is no clear paragraphing or progression of ideas, as the entire process is crammed into a single block of text without proper punctuation or sentence boundaries. This lack of structural control and punctuation places the response at Band 4.
Lexical Resource: Band 4.0
The vocabulary used is extremely basic and repetitive ('trees and plants are grown', 'crops are harvested', 'cellulose is formed', 'sugars are formed'). There is an awkward and confusing lexical collocation error at the end of the text where the student writes 'ethanol is used in the form of carbon dioxide in various vehicles for instance, aeroplane, trucks as well as trucks', which misinterprets the diagram's indication that vehicles emit carbon dioxide. The range of vocabulary is very limited and repetitive, reflecting Band 4 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0
The grammatical structure is extremely weak, consisting of one massive run-on sentence joined by multiple coordinating conjunctions and transitional words without any periods or semicolons. Punctuation is virtually absent except for a couple of commas, and capitalization is missing at the start of the second clause. There is a total lack of complex sentence control used accurately, and the syntax collapses under the weight of the endless run-on structure. Frequent serious errors impede communication, fitting Band 4.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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