Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-11-02

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 below repersent how a biofuel called ethanol is produced. The most important step is to let the plants and trees grow and by using the sunlight and carbon dioxide.

firstly, when the plants and trees grow and will be harvested then it will brake down and go for the pre-processing where they will brake down further and the plants and trees and it will turn into cellulose.

Secoundly, there will be the actule processing where the cellulose will turn into sugar after that they will add microbrs will brake down then it becomes ethanol which can be used in car, truck and planes. when the fule will burn it will turn into carbon dioxide then the carbon dioxide will go to the atmospen and the proess will repeit

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main subject and describe several central stages, including plant growth, harvesting, pre-processing, cellulose, processing, sugars, microbes and ethanol. You also mention the three transport types and the return of carbon dioxide, so the account is relevant. However, the response only partially covers the process: it does not clearly explain that sunlight and carbon dioxide support plant growth, and it says carbon dioxide goes to the atmosphere rather than explicitly describing its return to the plants. The overview is limited to calling plant growth the “most important step,” rather than summarising the cycle as a whole. The response is 130 words, below the required 150, and several stages are under-explained. Add a concise overview and clarify the cycle and each transformation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic chronological sequence, and words such as “firstly,” “after that” and “then” help the reader follow some of the stages. The paragraph breaks also separate the opening from the process description. However, progression is not consistently clear: the first sentence of the second paragraph combines plant growth, harvesting and breakdown, while the final paragraph packs processing, sugar formation, microbes, ethanol, fuel use and carbon dioxide into one long chain. “Secondly” does not clearly mark a distinct stage, and some references such as “they” and “it” have unclear antecedents. Organise the account into a clear introduction and overview, followed by stages in sequence, using precise links such as “next,” “subsequently” and “finally.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant process vocabulary, including “harvested,” “pre-processing,” “cellulose,” “processing” and “carbon dioxide,” which makes the topic recognisable. However, the range is limited and several spelling errors make key terms harder to understand, for example “repersent,” “Secoundly,” “microbrs,” “fule” and “atmospen.” Some word choices are imprecise: “brake down” is repeated, and “sugar” is used where the diagram labels the output as “sugars.” “The actule processing” is also an awkward phrase. Aim for accurate spelling and more specific process verbs, such as “is converted into,” “is broken down into” and “is fermented,” while avoiding repetition.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to describe a sequence using clauses linked with “when,” “then” and “after that,” but the range of sentence structures is limited and complex attempts are often faulty. For example, “when the plants and trees grow and will be harvested then it will brake down” mixes verb forms and leaves the subject of “it” unclear. In “the cellulose will turn into sugar after that they will add,” two stages are joined without suitable punctuation or a clear clause boundary. There are also problems with articles and number, as in “used in car, truck and planes,” and inconsistent sentence openings, including lowercase “firstly.” Use clear present-simple passive forms for a process, such as “The plants are harvested,” and check sentence boundaries, agreement and articles.

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