Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The given diagram illustrates the manufacturing process of making sugar from sugar cane.
Overall, the picture is about how sugar is produced from sugar cane. The first step is growing period which is about 12-18 months where it grows. After that, it is followed by the process called 'Harvesting' where a farmer harvest sugarcane which is now ready to crush. In this crushing process, the sugarcane is placed inside the machine to produce juice, which is then transferred to a purifier using a Limestone filter.
Also, evaporation is applied during the process, where juice becomes syrup through vapour. After this, the sugar crystals are separated from syrup called Centrifuge. Lastly, sugar is added to it through Drying and cooling process and the sugarcane is ready to sell to the market.
This is how sugarcane is manufactured and get to the consumers.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
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 main stages of the process are identified, the description is quite superficial. The overview is repetitive, essentially restating the prompt rather than highlighting the key stages or the nature of the process (a linear industrial cycle). The explanation of the stages is brief and lacks the necessary detail to fully 'summarise' the information provided in the diagram. To improve, you must expand on the technical steps and ensure the response meets the length requirement to allow for a more comprehensive overview of the process.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into a logical sequence, following the steps of the diagram chronologically. However, the paragraphing is insufficient; the entire body of the report is compressed into one paragraph, which hinders readability. While some cohesive devices are used, such as 'After that', 'Also', and 'Lastly', they are somewhat mechanical and repetitive. The transition between the growth phase and the industrial processing phase could be smoother. To improve, use more varied linking words and ensure that the structure clearly separates the introduction, the overview, and the distinct stages of the process into separate paragraphs.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. You rely on basic verbs like 'making', 'produced', and 'placed'. There is also some awkward phrasing, such as 'the sugar crystals are separated from syrup called Centrifuge', where the terminology is used incorrectly (the centrifuge is the machine, not the syrup). To improve, focus on using more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'extraction', 'purification', 'crystallisation', and 'by-products', and ensure that nouns and verbs are used in their correct contexts.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that affect the flow. For example, 'the first step is growing period' lacks an article, and 'a farmer harvest sugarcane' has a subject-verb agreement error. Additionally, 'the sugarcane is ready to sell' should be passive ('is ready to be sold'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to lower the score. Focus on subject-verb agreement, the correct use of articles, and consistent use of the passive voice, which is standard for describing industrial processes.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.