Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-10

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 figure illustrates the process involved in the manufacturing of sugar from sugar cane.

The process starts with the planting of sugarcane in the farm by the farmer, which is ready to harvest within 12-18 months, then it is harvest by a human or with the help of machinery. further it is crushed in the machine and the juice which comes out from the sugarcane is stored in the container. which need to be purify by the limestone filter and need to be evaporated in order to convert it from juice into syrup form.

A machine named Centrifuge which rotates and further separates sugar crystals from the syrup, which has to keep for some time for the process of drying and cooling and the small particles form after it is the tiny particles of sugar.

In conclusion, the production of sugar involves seven main stages, starting with the harvesting of sugar and ending with the drying and cooling of the sugar crystals.

AI examiner evaluation

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 description is somewhat superficial. For instance, the transition from 'crushing' to 'purification' lacks detail regarding the specific equipment or the role of the limestone filter. While the overview is present, it could be more analytical by highlighting the transformation of the raw material into the final product more clearly. The response identifies the key stages, but the lack of precise terminology and descriptive depth limits the score to a 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'further it is crushed' and 'which need to be' create a slightly disjointed flow. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'the small particles form after it is the tiny particles of sugar,' which is confusing. Improved use of linking words and better sentence integration would elevate the coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. Words like 'machine' and 'container' are very generic. There are also some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'purify by the limestone filter' (should be 'purified') and 'the small particles form after it is the tiny particles of sugar,' which is redundant and imprecise. To improve, you should use more specific technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'extraction,' 'filtration,' and 'crystallization.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('it is harvest' instead of 'it is harvested'), incorrect verb forms ('need to be purify' instead of 'needs to be purified'), and punctuation errors, such as starting sentences with lowercase letters or using fragments. These errors occasionally impede the flow of reading. Focusing on consistent verb tense usage and accurate passive voice construction is essential for improvement.

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.