Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-14

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 step by step how ethanol is produced. from the rays hitting the plants to harvesting, it shows the initial stages of producing ethanol. upon harvesting and processing it shows how plants are utilized in every stage of life.pre-processing the harvested plants is the next step which will result in the production of cellulose. following is the processing of the cellulose, which results in the production of sugars, the next crutial step is where microbes are added to the solution to have the end product of the process. ethanol is produced in such way that it is then transfered to the automobile, which produces carbondioxide. carbondioxide which is necessary for the plants to show growth, is the initial step of the production of ethanol which results in the repeatition of the process and hence the end of the a life cycle give birth to another cycle and so on

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main subject and describe several central stages, including harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, processing, sugars and the addition of microbes. You also recognise the cycle linking carbon dioxide from transport back to plant growth. However, the account is only partial: the overview is not clearly separated, and some details are inaccurate or vague. For example, the diagram shows ethanol being used by a car, truck and aeroplane, but you mention only an “automobile.” The opening reference to “rays hitting the plants” also omits the role of carbon dioxide in plant growth. Clarify the full sequence and summarise the circular nature of the process explicitly before describing its stages.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response follows a broadly chronological order, moving from plant growth through processing to ethanol use and carbon dioxide returning to the plants. Linking expressions such as “following” and “which results in” help connect some steps. However, the writing is presented as one long, densely packed paragraph, so the overall progression is difficult to follow. Several links are repetitive or unclear, particularly “upon harvesting and processing” and “the next crucial step,” which do not clearly distinguish the stages. The final sentence also combines the carbon cycle and a general comment about life cycles without a clear transition. Use a short overview followed by a clearly ordered process description, with accurate references to each stage.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “microbes” and “end product,” which allows the reader to recognise the main stages. However, the range is limited and some choices are imprecise or awkward for describing a diagram. “Rays hitting the plants” is less accurate than referring to sunlight, while “transfered to the automobile” does not describe the diagram’s three transport modes. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “crutial,” “transfered,” “carbondioxide” and “repeatition.” Aim for precise process language and check spelling carefully; use terms such as “is converted into,” “is then used as fuel” and “is released” where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to connect ideas using subordinate clauses, as in “which results in the production of sugars,” and the general meaning can usually be followed. However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and longer sentences often become difficult to control. The opening begins with lowercase “the,” and the response has little sentence punctuation, especially in the final section, where several ideas run together. In “the next crucial step is where microbes are added,” the construction is awkward, and “which is necessary for the plants to show growth” has an unclear reference. Use complete sentences with clear subjects and verbs, and divide the process into shorter statements to improve grammatical control and readability.

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