198 words, written by us as a teaching example — not a verified exam script. Read it, then attempt the question yourself.
“The diagram shows the life cycle of a butterfly.”Model answer
198 wordsP1The diagram illustrates the complete life cycle of a butterfly, showing the four key stages of development from egg to adult.
P2Overall, the process is cyclical and takes approximately 30 days to complete. It begins when an adult butterfly lays eggs and ends when the next generation of adults emerges, at which point the cycle begins again.
P3In the first stage, a female butterfly lays eggs on the surface of a leaf, where they are protected while they develop. After a short period, the eggs hatch and tiny larvae, or caterpillars, emerge. The caterpillar feeds actively on leaves, growing considerably in size over the following days as it accumulates the energy needed for its transformation.
P4Once it has reached sufficient size, the caterpillar attaches itself to a branch or stem and forms a hard protective case called a chrysalis, or pupa. Inside this structure, the insect undergoes a remarkable transformation over several days. Eventually, a fully formed adult butterfly breaks free from the chrysalis. The adult butterfly then feeds, matures, and, in time, finds a mate and lays a new batch of eggs on a leaf. The cycle then repeats, taking roughly 30 days from start to finish.
Write your answer in the exam workspace and see how your four marks compare to the model’s.
Present simple active is used correctly and consistently throughout, appropriate for a natural biological process.
All four stages are covered in sequence with precise terminology: 'larva', 'chrysalis', 'pupa'.
Now you
Reading a model ≠ writing one. Attempt the same question now, while the moves are fresh — then compare your grading side by side.
Write it nowCriterion breakdown
What keeps it from higher
The phrase 'over the following days' is slightly vague; a more specific time reference for the larval stage would sharpen the description.