Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-17

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)

Task 1

The above chart describes the process of making ethanol and it is used in the different sectors. This is a circular process.

Overall, it is clearly visible that plants make their food with help of carbon and sunlight. Plants also provide us oxygen as well as food. In the next step harvesting of sugarcane is done and gathered at one place. In the second stage, processing of sugrcane is held in factories with help of machines. In the third stage, cellulose is prepared after completion of processing stage.

In the fourth stage, sugarcane is mixed with the cellulose and further processed until it is not completely mixed. In the fifth stage, sugar molecules are prepared an collected into jars. In the last stage, finally ethanol is made after all the processing done. After this stage etthanol is used in different sectors, whether it is secondar or tertiary sector. Ethanol is also used as fuel, vehciles like cars, buses etc.

In concluson, it is cleared how ethanol is prepared and used. This is circular process at starts again after ending. This cycle keeps going with the time

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram as a circular process and mention the main broad stages, including plant growth, harvesting, processing, sugars and ethanol. However, the account only partially represents the actual sequence and includes several unsupported details. For example, the diagram shows cellulose being produced before processing into sugars, whereas you say processing happens first and later describe sugarcane being mixed with cellulose. It does not show sugarcane, oxygen production, jars, buses, or use in “secondary or tertiary” sectors. The overview also misses the key cycle: carbon dioxide released when ethanol is used in transport returns to support plant growth. Focus on the labelled stages and explain this carbon loop accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has separate paragraphs and uses sequencing expressions such as “In the next step,” “In the fourth stage,” and “In the last stage,” so the reader can recognise an attempt to organise the process. However, the progression is not consistently logical: the stages are numbered in a way that conflicts with the diagram, and some steps are repeated or misplaced. The final paragraph repeats that the process is circular without explaining how it returns to the beginning. Linking phrases are also somewhat mechanical. Organise the body in the diagram’s actual order, from plant growth through harvesting and processing to ethanol use, then connect transport emissions back to plant growth.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “cellulose,” “processing,” and “ethanol,” which helps communicate the general topic. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or imprecise for this diagram. “Chart” is not the best term for a process illustration, while “plants make their food” and “sugar molecules are prepared” do not clearly describe the labelled stages. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “sugrcane,” “etthanol,” “vehciles,” and “concluson.” Use precise process terms such as “pre-processing,” “microbes are added,” and “carbon dioxide is released,” and check spelling carefully to make the description easier to follow.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the use of sequencing clauses shows some effort to vary sentence structure. However, errors are frequent, and some sentences are difficult to interpret. For example, “In the fourth stage, sugarcane is mixed with the cellulose” has an unclear relationship between the materials, while “This is circular process at starts again after ending” contains several structural problems. Articles and verb forms are also often missing or incorrect, as in “This is a circular process” and “after all the processing done.” Aim first for accurate, complete sentences with a clear subject and verb. Then use a few controlled complex forms, such as “After the sugars are produced, microbes are added to create ethanol.”

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.