Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-15

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 given diagram is the cyclic process of manufacturing Ethanol.

First, cellulose is produced through photosynthesis, where energy from Sunlight and Carbon dioxide are reacted.After harvesting plant materials,those are pre processed and cellulose is separated, and then after processing ,it is converted to sugars. Microbial activity on these sugars produce Ethanol and it is used as a bio fuel for various modes of transportation. Burning of this fuel emits Carbon dioxide back to the environment, and it is again absorbed by plants for photosynthesis, continuing the cyle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the process as cyclical and include several central stages, from harvesting and pre-processing through sugars, ethanol, transport use and carbon dioxide returning to plants. However, the response reports the task only minimally: it is substantially below the required 150 words, and important details are omitted, including the separate processing stage that produces sugars and the three transport modes shown. The opening also says cellulose is produced through photosynthesis, whereas the diagram shows plants growing through sunlight and carbon dioxide, followed later by pre-processing to obtain cellulose. Expand the account stage by stage and give a clear overview of the cycle, while keeping each description faithful to the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The sequence is generally understandable: the response moves from plant growth and harvesting to fuel use and the return of carbon dioxide. Linking expressions such as “First,” “After,” “and then,” and “continuing the cycle” help show this order. However, the whole report is compressed into one paragraph and one long sequence, so the stages are not clearly grouped or developed. The transition from “First, cellulose is produced through photosynthesis” to harvesting also makes the process order confusing. Organise the response into an overview and a chronological description, and use clear sentence boundaries to distinguish the production stages from the final transport-and-emissions loop.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “pre processed,” “cellulose,” “sugars,” and “microbial activity,” which allows the reader to follow the general subject. There is also some useful variation in describing the cycle, such as “emits” and “absorbed.” However, the range is limited by the short response, and some choices are imprecise or awkward: “manufacturing Ethanol” is less suitable than describing how ethanol is produced, while “energy … and carbon dioxide are reacted” does not accurately express the role of these inputs. “Bio fuel” is normally written as one word, and “cyle” is misspelled. Use precise process verbs such as “converted,” “released,” and “reabsorbed,” and check spelling and standard forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response contains some clear sentence structures, including the final sentence linking fuel combustion, carbon dioxide absorption and the cycle continuing. You also attempt a complex passive construction in “it is converted to sugars.” However, the range is narrow, with most information packed into a few long sentences, and errors in sentence boundaries and agreement reduce control. For example, there is no space after the full stop in “reacted.After,” and “Microbial activity … produce Ethanol” has a singular subject with a plural verb. The opening sequence also creates a confusing relationship between photosynthesis and cellulose production. Use shorter, well-punctuated sentences and check subject–verb agreement and the order expressed by clauses.

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