Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-03

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

How sugar is produced from sugar cane

Student answer (Band 5.0)

The given layout illustrates how sugar is fabricated from sugar cane. The procedure consists of seven stages starting from growth and ending up to packing sugar after the drying process.

To begin with the season of growth, it took around 12 to 18 months for sugar canes. After that, sugar canes went into harvesting process and farmer can cut down into pieces gradually. In the third stage, sugar canes into crushing machine for making liquid juice. In addition, liquid went into limestone filter for purifying the liquid juice. After this process, heating evaporated method happened, purifying juice convert into syrup. In the next stage, centrifuge method did and separating the sugar crystal from syrup gently. Ultimately, the drying and cooling process happened and sugar canes were separate into canes for dryness.

Overall, the process how sugar is made from sugar cane by seven different kind of stages and after that, the sugar canes is ready for supplying in the market.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers all stages of the process, from growth to packaging. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the process as a whole. While the main features are identified, the explanation of the steps is occasionally imprecise, such as describing the final stage as 'sugar canes were separate into canes for dryness,' which misinterprets the diagram. To improve, ensure that the overview highlights the transformation from raw material to finished product more clearly and accurately reflects the technical nature of the stages shown in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression from the beginning to the end of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with,' 'After that,' and 'In the next stage' are used to link the steps. However, the use of these devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical. The final paragraph is a bit weak as a summary, as it repeats information rather than synthesising the main points effectively. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring a more sophisticated transition between stages would enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it is somewhat limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'sugar canes' are used frequently, and some word choices are imprecise or awkward, such as 'heating evaporated method' instead of 'evaporation' or 'purifying the liquid juice.' There is an attempt to use process-related terminology, but it lacks the precision required for a higher band. To improve, focus on using more accurate technical terms related to manufacturing and avoid repeating the same nouns and verbs throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses and article usage, such as 'the procedure consists of seven stages starting from growth and ending up to packing' and 'sugar canes into crushing machine.' Some sentences are grammatically incomplete or awkward, which occasionally hinders the reader's understanding. To achieve a higher score, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensure that sentences are fully formed with correct prepositions and articles.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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