Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-30
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 about the process of producing a biofuel called ethanol. Although various raw materials are needed for production.
Overall, this process involves several key stages beginning from harvesting of plants and trees,cellulose and culminating from carbon dioxide.As well as,this process consumes a considerable amount of time and resources in comparison to others.
Firstly, plants and trees which have absorbed sunlight and carbon dioxide should be harvested and cut by a tractor. Afterall,these fragments are sent to a machine where cellulose is produced. Furthermore, when they are created they are gone for breakdown of chemicals where they are produced into sugars. Moreover, many tons of water have been used for the production of ethanol which can impact earth ecosystem.
Apart from that, the last stage of manufacturing of ethanol is adding microbes in order to make ethanol on a large scale. However, now it is ready to be to used in trucks,cars and planes which in turn emit into carbon dioxide and later this process repeats again and again.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response attempts to describe the circular diagram illustrating biofuel production. However, it fails to fully cover the sequence and major stages of the process accurately. For instance, the overview incorrectly states the process culminates 'from carbon dioxide', and the body paragraphs introduce outside information not found in the diagram, such as 'many tons of water have been used for the production of ethanol which can impact earth ecosystem'. Furthermore, sentence fragments like 'Although various raw materials are needed for production' and awkward phrasing detract from task fulfillment. The overall progression of steps—from sunlight and carbon dioxide, plants growing, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, processing into sugars, adding microbes, to ethanol and final carbon dioxide emissions—is partially obscured by inaccuracies and extraneous commentary. Therefore, the response meets the minimum length requirement but only partially addresses the requirements of Task 1.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is divided into four paragraphs, which provides a basic structural framework, but the overall organization and progression are flawed. While cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Afterall', 'Furthermore', and 'Apart from that' are used, they are often mechanically or inaccurately applied. For example, 'Afterall' is misspelled and used inappropriately for sequence. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of ideas is disjointed, particularly in the introduction and second paragraph where sentence fragments and confusing clauses ('culminating from carbon dioxide.As well as,this process consumes...') disrupt the logical flow. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the exact sequence of the cyclical process.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is limited and repetitive, reflecting a basic range that is barely adequate for the task. The student attempts some less common vocabulary items such as 'harvesting', 'cellulose', 'ecosystem', and 'microbes', but word choice and collocation errors are frequent. Examples include 'illustrates about the process' (unnecessary preposition), 'gone for breakdown of chemicals' (unnatural phrasing), and 'emit into carbon dioxide' (incorrect prepositional verb). Spelling and morphological errors, such as missing spaces after punctuation marks ('carbon dioxide.As well as,this process'), further constrain the score. The lexical range lacks the precision required for a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
The response displays a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple sentences alongside a few flawed attempts at complex forms. There are numerous grammatical errors and punctuation issues throughout the text, including sentence fragments ('Although various raw materials are needed for production.'), incorrect verb forms ('are gone for breakdown', 'can impact earth ecosystem'), and missing articles or prepositions. Punctuation is frequently mishandled, with missing spaces after periods and commas. These frequent errors cause noticeable difficulty for the reader and mean that error-free sentences are in the minority.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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