Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-06
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 given figure illustrates the mechanism of sugar production from sugar canes.
Overall, the process of sugar making from sugar cane takes place in six important steps mainly starts from harvesting.
When field of sugar cane is fully ripened from 1 year to 1.5 year , then they are harvested by machine known as harvester or sometimes they are cut down one by one by farmers. Then these sugar canes undergoes the process of crushing by passing through the machine, which squeezes juice from sugar cane. This juice is then purified by passing through limestone filter and impurities are removed. This filtered juice is then heated. It's state changes and becomes like thick syrup. The sugar crystals then become visible when syrup cools down. These sugar crystals are then collected and are allowed to dry. When the crystals cool down, sugar is ready which is used for various domestic and industrial processes. This process is repeated every year, for the production of sugar which is then also exported to other countries and supports country economically.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the sugar production process, from harvesting to the final product. However, the overview is weak; it describes the process as having 'six important steps' rather than highlighting the key stages of the cycle (harvesting, crushing, purification, evaporation, and crystallization). Furthermore, the inclusion of information about economic impact and exportation is irrelevant to the task, as this information is not present in the provided diagram. To improve, focus strictly on the visual data provided and ensure the overview identifies the most significant trends or stages of the process rather than just counting steps.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized in a logical, chronological sequence, which helps the reader follow the process. However, the paragraphing is insufficient; the entire response is written as a single block of text. A more effective approach would be to separate the introduction/overview from the body paragraphs detailing the specific stages. While cohesive devices like 'then', 'when', and 'this' are used, they are somewhat repetitive and mechanical. Improving the variety of linking words and using paragraph breaks would significantly enhance the flow and structure of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the process to be described clearly. There are some attempts at topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'purified', 'impurities', and 'crystallization'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are instances of slightly unnatural phrasing, such as 'mechanism of sugar production' (process is more appropriate) and 'field of sugar cane is fully ripened'. The word choice is functional but lacks the precision and sophistication required for a higher band score. Expanding the range of synonyms and collocations related to industrial processes would be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('these sugar canes undergoes', 'state changes') and article usage ('known as harvester'). Additionally, there are punctuation errors, such as the inconsistent spacing around commas and periods. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the process, they occur frequently enough to impact the overall fluency. To reach a higher band, focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and refining the use of articles and punctuation in complex sentences.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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