Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 production of sugar from sugarcane is a very tedious and long process it is done in the following way.

To begin with the sugarcane is grown for 12-18 months before starting the harvest process . The harvesting can be done in 2 ways either manually or using large harvesting machines or combines , both ways lead to the crushing of the sugar canes into juice , then the juice is purified using a limestone filter and then it is sent to a evaporator where the juice is heated and the excess water content is evaporated leaving only the syrup , it is then brought to the centrifuge which spins at very high velocities to separate the sugar crystals from syrup , then the sugar crystals are passed through a process of drying and cooling which gives the crystal sugar that is used that is used in the everyday life

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main stages of the sugar production process, from harvesting to the final product. However, it lacks a clear overview, which is essential for a Band 6 or higher in Task 1. The description is purely sequential and fails to highlight key features or make meaningful comparisons between the two harvesting methods mentioned. Furthermore, the response is quite brief, and while it meets the minimum word count, the lack of a formal introduction and a summary paragraph limits the development of the information. To improve, ensure you include an overview that summarises the process as a whole and structure the response into distinct paragraphs for better clarity.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is written as a single, long paragraph, which significantly impacts the logical flow and readability. While there is a basic attempt at sequencing using transition words like 'To begin with' and 'then', the lack of paragraphing makes the text feel like a run-on list of steps rather than a structured report. Cohesive devices are used in a somewhat mechanical and repetitive manner. To achieve a higher band, you must use paragraphing to separate the different stages of the process and vary your cohesive devices to create a more natural progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for describing a process, using terms like 'purified', 'evaporator', 'centrifuge', and 'velocities'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simple phrasing. Some word choices are slightly imprecise, such as 'tedious and long process', which is more subjective than objective. There is also a lack of more sophisticated collocations that would demonstrate a higher level of lexical control. To improve, try to incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes and avoid informal or overly descriptive language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical issues, particularly regarding sentence structure and punctuation. There are multiple run-on sentences where clauses are joined incorrectly without proper punctuation, such as '...long process it is done in the following way.' and '...syrup , it is then brought to the centrifuge...'. The use of commas is inconsistent, and there are some awkward phrasings. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of complex sentence structures and the frequency of punctuation errors prevent a higher score. Focusing on sentence boundaries and using a variety of complex structures would greatly enhance your writing.

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

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