Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-26

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 figure below illustrates the process of ethanol and how it is produced.

Overall, production goes through several stages to make carbondioxide or ethanol for us; from plants and trees to microbes till the time we get ethanol ready. There are few steps we have to go through.

Firstly, we get energy from plants and trees then harvesting is the next step same plants and trees are cut collectively further, it has to go through from pre-processing from there we get cellulose which is the essential part of this process.

Secondly, from cellulose we move towards processing; from here we get sugars, a tiny molecule which helps in the making of ethanol. In addition, we get microbes added which is also called as ethanol. Moreover, as we get ethanol now last step remained is to export ethanol through multiple sources ethanol is exported; such as, car, truck and aeroplane. Lastly ethanol can spread in our atmosphere also.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main subject and mention several relevant stages, including harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, processing, sugars, microbes, and the three transport modes. However, the account only partially reports the process and contains important misunderstandings. The overview says production makes “carbondioxide or ethanol,” although the diagram shows ethanol as the fuel and carbon dioxide as part of a cycle. More seriously, “microbes added” is not another name for ethanol; microbes are added before ethanol is produced. The description also omits the return of carbon dioxide from transport to the growing plants and misstates the initial energy input as coming from plants. To improve, give a clear overview of the cycle and describe each stage in its correct order and relationship.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure, with an overview followed by two paragraphs introduced by “Firstly” and “Secondly.” This gives the reader some sense of sequence, and the stages are generally presented in process order. However, progression is not consistently clear: the first paragraph combines harvesting and pre-processing in a confusing sentence, while the second moves from sugars to microbes and ethanol without clearly explaining their relationship. Connectors such as “Moreover” and “Lastly” sometimes signal a new point without clarifying how it relates to the process. The final statement that ethanol “can spread in our atmosphere” also leaves the cycle unfinished. Use one paragraph for the overview and clearly sequenced stages, with linking phrases that show cause, conversion, and the return loop.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “processing,” and “microbes,” so the topic is recognisable. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or imprecise, which makes parts of the process difficult to understand. For example, “export ethanol” is not the best description of fuel being used by vehicles, and “ethanol can spread in our atmosphere” does not accurately describe carbon dioxide being released. “A tiny molecule” is an unsupported and unclear description of sugars, while “carbondioxide” is incorrectly written as one word. Aim for precise process terms such as “is converted into,” “is used as fuel,” and “is released,” and avoid adding descriptions that are not shown in the diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentences and use sequencing language, but the range of sentence structures is limited and complex attempts are often faulty. For example, “Firstly, we get energy from plants and trees then harvesting is the next step same plants and trees are cut collectively” joins several clauses without appropriate punctuation or grammatical links. “There are few steps we have to go through” is missing an article, and “last step remained is to export ethanol” has an incorrect verb construction. These errors sometimes make the relationships between stages unclear. Practise separating process steps into complete sentences and using passive forms, such as “The plants are harvested” and “The cellulose is processed into sugars.” Check articles, verb forms, and punctuation when joining clauses.

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