Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-05

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 flowchart illustrates the sugar production process from sugar cane.

Overall, there are seven distinct steps of the sugar manufacturing, starting with growing the sugar cane and ending with drying and cooling the sugar.

Looking at the diagram in detail, we can see that it takes about 12 to 18 months for growing sugar canes. Then, the grown sugar canes are harvested either manually or by the machines. In the next stage, the harvested sugar canes are crushed by a crushing machine and it produces juice.

Following this, the juice is purified by a limestone filter before sending to evaporator. Finally, the

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is significantly under-length, failing to meet the 150-word minimum requirement. Consequently, the task is incomplete, as the description stops abruptly after the purification stage, omitting the final steps of the manufacturing process (crystallisation, separation, and drying). Because the response is unfinished, it cannot fully address all parts of the task or provide a complete summary of the main features. To improve, you must ensure you describe the entire process from start to finish and provide a more comprehensive overview of the stages involved to meet the word count requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response uses some basic cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Looking at the diagram in detail', and 'Following this' to link ideas. However, because the text is incomplete and cuts off mid-sentence, the overall progression is severely hindered. Paragraphing is attempted, but the lack of a concluding section or a full description of the process makes the structure feel fragmented. To improve, ensure that you plan your response to cover all stages of the process and use a wider variety of linking words to connect the steps more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the task, such as 'manufacturing process', 'harvested', 'crushed', and 'purified'. However, the range is limited due to the brevity of the response. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or sophisticated collocations. To reach a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more precise terminology related to industrial processes and vary your vocabulary to avoid repetition of simple verbs like 'produces' or 'growing'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The grammar is generally accurate in the sentences provided, with a mix of simple and some complex structures (e.g., 'harvested either manually or by the machines'). There are no major errors that impede communication, but the range of structures is limited. The abrupt ending makes it difficult to assess your ability to use more complex grammatical forms effectively. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions, which are particularly useful for describing processes.

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

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