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 given image illustrates the process of making for ethanol from plates and trees.

Overall, making of ethanol contain several steps including plants and trees which were harvested. Moreover, after harvesting it goes through several process including chopping of plants which produce cellulose. However, the main sources for ethanol is sugars.

The process of making ethanol is started with harvesting of plants and trees. In addition, the roots of plants were send for chopping process which produce tiny product called cellulose. Next process contain several lab works.

Regarding the processing step, this is the main part of the whole process were it's creates component called sugars which plays crucial role to make ethanol. Furthermore, from sugars it have added microbes which is it final step and then ethanol is finally created through the complex process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response attempts to describe the process of ethanol production, but it suffers from several notable shortcomings. First, the text fails the minimum length requirement, containing only 135 words compared to the required 150 words. Second, while it outlines some basic stages such as harvesting, chopping, and processing into sugars, the coverage of the diagram's cyclical nature and the environmental carbon dioxide loop is largely missed or poorly articulated. Key elements like the addition of microbes and the release of carbon dioxide via vehicle transport are either awkwardly phrased or omitted. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed, leading to a penalty for under-length and limited development.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The text is divided into four paragraphs, attempting to follow a standard structure with an introduction, overview, and body details. However, logical progression is frequently disrupted by awkward transitions and confusing sentence construction, such as starting paragraphs abruptly or using phrases like 'However, the main sources for ethanol is sugars' where a contrast is unwarranted. Cohesive devices are used mechanically or inaccurately ('In addition', 'Moreover', 'Furthermore'), and referencing is often unclear (e.g., 'which is it final step'). Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal flow within paragraphs remains disjointed and difficult to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, frequently relying on simple words like 'process', 'making', 'plants', and 'trees'. There are numerous word choice and collocation errors, such as 'making of for ethanol from plates and trees', 'chopping process which produce tiny product', and 'it has added microbes'. Furthermore, spelling and grammatical form errors ('plates' instead of plants, 'were it's creates' instead of where it creates) restrict precision. The lexical range is minimally adequate for conveying very simple ideas, but lacks the flexibility and precision required for describing a technical diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0

The response exhibits a very limited range of grammatical structures. Simple sentences predominate, and attempts at more complex structures frequently result in serious grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('the main sources ... is sugars') and incorrect verb forms ('the process of making ethanol is started', 'roots of plants were send'). Punctuation and article usage are also weak throughout the text. Errors are frequent and often cause strain for the reader, although the general meaning of some basic steps can still be deciphered.

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