Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-29
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 illustrates how a biofuel ethanol is produced.
Overall, the process consists of several different stages. Beginning with the plants are harvesting and ending with the producing biofuel ethanol. The process involves both mechanical and chemical stages such as, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, processing and adding microbes and finally producing alcohol.
Initially, trees are observing energy such as sunlight, carbon dioxide. Then plants and trees are growing. After that, plants are harvested using tractor. After being harvested, plants are pre-processed using mechanical process and cellulose is made. Subsequently, cellulose is processed to chemical processing. Finally, sugars are produced and then microbes are added. The process ends with, ethanol is manufactured and it used to car, truck and airplane. This process has been continued. Vehicles are produced carbon dioxide and then it transferred to the atmosphere. After that, trees and plants are breathed to carbon dioxide and sunlight then plants are growing.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response attempts to summarize the circular diagram showing biofuel ethanol production, covering the main stages from plant growth and harvesting to processing, microbe addition, and carbon dioxide release. However, the overview is weak, consisting merely of the statement that 'the process consists of several different stages.' Furthermore, there are noticeable mechanical errors in describing the sequence, such as 'Beginning with the plants are harvesting and ending with the producing biofuel ethanol.' While the student identifies most of the primary steps, the reporting of the loop lacks precision, and the relationship between the stages and the carbon dioxide cycle is described somewhat clumsily ('trees are breathed to carbon dioxide'). The response satisfies the minimum length requirement, but the lack of a clear, developed overview and frequent awkward phrasing limit the task achievement score to Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The text is divided into three brief paragraphs, attempting an introduction, an overview, and a body description. However, the logical progression is hindered by poor paragraphing and weak cohesive devices. The transitions between sentences feel mechanical and repetitive, such as the excessive use of 'Then', 'After that', and 'Finally'. Additionally, referencing is occasionally unclear, as seen in 'it used to car, truck and airplane' and 'This process has been continued.' Paragraphing is not fully utilized to separate the manufacturing stages from the subsequent carbon dioxide recycling phase, resulting in a slightly jumbled sequence. Overall, the organization shows some structure, but the cohesive devices are inaccurate or overused, aligning closely with Band 5.0 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, heavily relying on words provided directly in the prompt such as 'plants', 'trees', 'harvesting', 'cellulose', 'processing', 'sugars', 'microbes', and 'ethanol'. There are several word choice and collocation errors throughout the text, including 'plants are harvesting' instead of 'harvested', 'trees are observing energy' instead of 'absorbing', and 'trees and plants are breathed to carbon dioxide'. These lexical inaccuracies occasionally cause difficulty for the reader and reflect a limited, restricted range of vocabulary. While the student attempts to use some process-related terms, the frequent morphological and collocational errors keep the lexical score at a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
The essay displays a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying predominantly on simple sentences and passive forms that are frequently mishandled. There are constant errors in verb forms, voice, and prepositions throughout the response, such as 'plants are harvesting' (incorrect active/passive mix), 'trees are observing energy', 'processed to chemical processing' (faulty preposition/collocation), and 'it used to car' (missing preposition/verb). Complex structures are attempted but are almost always faulty, and punctuation is basic. The high frequency of grammatical errors across most sentences causes considerable difficulty for the reader, placing the performance firmly in the Band 4.5 to 5.0 range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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