Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-06

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 process diagram illustrates the process of making ethanol and later, the loading and unloading process of ethanol, at the last it shows the pre-processing with the help of seven stages.

overall, firstly, plants and trees used to harvest then by using some chemicals it transformed into sugars, in the fourth step the ethanol is ready.

initially, plants and trees grow with the help of sunlight, later it harvest for processing. The third step is followed by the second one in which chemicals are used to change cellulose into sugars, eventually, in the next step ethanol is made. later, in the fifth step the loading and unloading process can be seen clearly, than it is use for certain purposes, like in an aeroplane for commuting than in a heavy truck they all produced carbon dioxide which helps the trees and plants for growing pre-process is also had a function there is several things into celllose.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the subject as ethanol production and mention several relevant stages, including plant growth, harvesting, cellulose, sugars, ethanol and carbon dioxide. However, the account only partially describes the process and does not give a reliable overview of its main features. The opening refers to “loading and unloading,” which is not shown, and the claim that ethanol is ready in the fourth step misrepresents the sequence. Important links are also unclear or missing, especially pre-processing to cellulose, the addition of microbes, and the cycle in which carbon dioxide from transport returns to support plant growth. To improve, describe the stages in their actual order and summarise the circular nature of the process accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is an attempt to use sequencing language, such as “initially,” “later,” “eventually” and “in the fifth step,” and the response broadly moves from plant growth towards ethanol use. However, the progression is difficult to follow because stages are repeated or placed in the wrong order: “the third step is followed by the second one” is confusing, and the final sentence introduces pre-processing after the transport cycle without a clear connection. The response also lacks clear paragraphing to separate an overview from the detailed sequence. Organise the process from beginning to end, use one paragraph for the overview and another for the stages, and ensure each linking phrase accurately signals the next step.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant process vocabulary, including “harvest,” “cellulose,” “sugars,” “ethanol” and “carbon dioxide,” so the topic is recognisable. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or imprecise, which sometimes makes the process hard to understand. “Loading and unloading process” does not describe the diagram, while “chemicals” is too vague for the microbes shown. There are also spelling and word-form problems, such as “celllose” and “it is use.” Aim for precise process terms and avoid adding unsupported descriptions. For example, refer to “microbes” and “transport vehicles,” and use “converted into” to describe the transformation between materials.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, but control is inconsistent, and errors frequently make relationships between stages unclear. Examples include “plants and trees used to harvest,” “later it harvest for processing,” and “in the fourth step the ethanol is ready,” where verb forms and sentence construction are faulty. The long final sentence also joins several ideas without effective punctuation, making it difficult to follow. There are problems with agreement and articles in “there is several things,” as well as tense and passive forms. Practise accurate present-simple descriptions of processes, especially passive structures such as “the plants are harvested” and “microbes are added,” and divide complex information into shorter, correctly punctuated sentences.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.