Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The diagram depicts the procedure of making sugar from the sugar cane.

Overall, the manufacturing process consist of almost 7 stages, beginning with harvesting the sugar cane and ending with the production of the crystal sugar.

In the very first stage, sugar cane is grown for the 12 to 18 months then in second stage, it is cut by the farmer and loaded them in the truck by the dozer. Following that in the third stage, it is crushed to make the juice by the special machinery. After that collected juice is sent to purify. Then after, it is evaporated in high flame to make it dark brown which is known as syrup.

Following that in the sixth stage, it is sent to centrifuge to separate the crystal sugar from the syrup.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While the overview identifies the main stages of the process, the description is incomplete. Several key steps from the diagram, such as the drying process and the final packaging or distribution, are omitted. The response lacks sufficient detail to fully cover the requirements of the task. To improve, you must ensure all stages of the process are described and that you reach the minimum word count to allow for a full development of the information provided in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into short paragraphs, which helps with readability. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical, relying heavily on simple transition words like 'following that' and 'then'. The logical flow is generally clear, but the lack of depth in the description makes the progression feel somewhat disjointed. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and use more sophisticated cohesive devices to connect the stages of the process more fluidly, rather than simply listing them one by one.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic. You use some relevant terms like 'harvesting', 'crushed', 'purify', 'evaporated', and 'centrifuge', which is positive. However, there is little evidence of less common or more precise vocabulary. Some phrasing is slightly unnatural, such as 'making sugar' instead of 'sugar production' or 'high flame' instead of 'high heat'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise collocations and a wider range of vocabulary related to industrial processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some passive structures, which is appropriate for describing a process. However, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'the manufacturing process consist' (should be 'consists'), 'loaded them in the truck' (the pronoun 'them' is redundant), and 'sent to purify' (should be 'sent for purification' or 'sent to be purified'). These errors do not generally impede communication, but they demonstrate a lack of control over complex structures. Focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice constructions.

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

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