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)

Overall, In the process of making biofuel called ethanol several steps include such as Plants and tree growing, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, processing, sugar, and ethanol. then the ethanol is ready to use for vehicle such as Cars, Trucks, and Aircrafts.

Firstly, the growing of plants and trees it requires energy (sunlight and carbon dioxide) for growth, secondly after growing success fully it harvested by machines or by man then it sends to chopper machine for pre-processing after this is processed for cellulose.

cellulose is processing in factory for making sugars particles and then form these sugars they added microbes for getting ethanol then finally ethanol is ready to use for cars, trucks, and aircrafts. then this vehicle released carbon dioxide this is again consumed as energy by trees.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response outlines the main stages of the biofuel production cycle, from plants growing and harvesting to pre-processing, cellulose extraction, processing into sugars, and adding microbes to produce ethanol. It also correctly notes the use of ethanol in vehicles and the subsequent release of carbon dioxide which is reabsorbed by plants. However, the response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, containing only 128 words. Furthermore, the overview is rather mechanical, simply listing the steps rather than highlighting key overarching features of the circular process. Consequently, these shortcomings limit the development of the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The text demonstrates some logical progression through the use of sequencing markers such as 'Firstly', 'secondly', and 'then'. However, the overall paragraphing and structural arrangement are weak. The text is divided into three short paragraphs, with the second and third paragraphs merging distinct steps awkwardly. Cohesive devices are repetitive and basic (e.g., 'then' is overused multiple times). Referencing and pronoun usage are also occasionally unclear, such as 'form these sugars they added microbes', which detracts from the overall flow and readability of the response.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is generally basic and repetitive, reflecting a limited range suitable for the task. The student attempts some topic-specific vocabulary such as 'biofuel', 'ethanol', 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'pre-processing'. However, there are notable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'Plants and tree growing' instead of plant growth, and 'sugars particles' instead of sugar particles or simply sugars. While the intended meaning is mostly clear, the lack of a flexible and precise lexical range caps the score at this level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar and punctuation is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('for vehicle such as Cars'), incorrect verb forms ('success fully it harvested'), and run-on sentences with comma splices (e.g., 'this is processing in factory for making sugars particles and then form these sugars they added microbes...'). Punctuation is largely neglected, with sentences running together without proper terminal punctuation or capitalization. These persistent errors occasionally impede comprehension.

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