Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)
The process diagram illustrates how a biofuel called ethanol develop.
Overall, production of ethanol diagram have many steps then the ethanol produced first most important sunlight and carbon dioxide mainly use for produced ethanol after the result ethanol used in planes, trucks and cars.
Firstly, sunlight and carbon dioxide then the plants grow up then farmers cutting when the cutting is over tye material move to machine then the machine make the cellulos after scientists take the cellulose and processing in labs they worked a lrge time to making the final result.
Secondly, after making the sugars of scientist some time some microbes added to making in sugars then the Ethanol produced at the end Ethanol used in jets, passengers plan, tanks , trucks, ships and mostly used in cars then produced carbon dioxide in air and used for people.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response attempts to describe the process of ethanol production shown in the diagram, mentioning key stages such as plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, processing, sugars, microbes, and ethanol usage in various vehicles, concluding with the release of carbon dioxide. However, the task achievement is hindered significantly by the word count falling below the 150-word minimum requirement, containing only 140 words. Furthermore, the content lacks a well-developed overview, and several parts of the sequence are described confusingly or simplistically, such as 'production of ethanol diagram have many steps'. While the main steps are touched upon, the lack of sufficient length and development means the task is only partially addressed, aligning with a Band 5 score.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0
The essay attempts to structure the information chronologically using transitional markers like 'Overall', 'Firstly', and 'Secondly'. However, the overall organisation is weak and lacks a clear logical progression. Paragraphing is rudimentary, and sentences often run together without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions, making the text disjointed. For example, 'Firstly, sunlight and carbon dioxide then the plants grow up then farmers cutting when the cutting is over tye material move to machine' demonstrates a breakdown in cohesion and sentence structure. Referencing is often unclear, and cohesive devices are inadequate or misused, resulting in a text that is difficult to follow smoothly. This corresponds to the Band 4 level.
Lexical Resource: Band 4.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, with frequent word-choice errors that strain the reader. Terms from the prompt and diagram are lifted or misused, such as 'develop' instead of 'developed' or 'is developed', 'produced' used incorrectly as a noun or verb ('use for produced ethanol'), and spelling/typographical errors like 'cellulos', 'lrge', and 'tye'. The range of vocabulary is severely limited and inadequate for academic task 1 requirements, restricting the lexical resource score to Band 4 due to the constant strain caused by inaccurate word forms and rudimentary phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0
The grammatical structures are extremely limited, consisting mostly of fragmented or poorly constructed simple sentences with frequent foundational errors. There are severe issues with subject-verb agreement ('production of ethanol diagram have'), missing verbs and auxiliary verbs ('sunlight and carbon dioxide then the plants grow up'), and incorrect verb forms ('farmers cutting when the cutting is over tye material move'). Punctuation is largely absent or misused, resulting in run-on sentences. Complex structures are attempted unsuccessfully, and frequent errors distort meaning throughout the response, placing it firmly in Band 4.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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