Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-11

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)

This diagram illustrates the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane . First of all, sugar canes are left to mature in the field for 12 to 18 months . After 18 months sugar canes can be harvested either by mechanized harvesting or manual harvesting . It can be either cut by sugar cane harvester or machete . Then it is crushed by the machine to make its juice . Then its fluid is purified with limestone filter . After this , the purified liquid is heated so that it can evaporate . And this liquid becomes syrup . After this , it is sent through the centrifuge machine . And this machine separates sugar crystals from the syrup . So the syrup becomes clear liquid . Then this fluid is dried for few days so that it becomes semi solid . And at the end of the process it is cooled and become crystal sugar .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all stages of the sugar production process, from harvesting to the final crystal form. However, the report lacks an overview or summary of the main trends, which is a requirement for a high band score in Task 1. The description is purely sequential and lacks a clear introduction or a concluding summary of the overall process. While the key features are identified, the lack of a cohesive overview means the response does not fully meet the requirements for a higher band. To improve, ensure you include a clear introductory sentence that paraphrases the prompt and a summary paragraph highlighting the main stages of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organized chronologically, which is appropriate for a process diagram. However, the use of cohesive devices is repetitive and mechanical. Almost every sentence begins with 'Then', 'After this', or 'And', which makes the flow of the text feel simplistic and disjointed. There is a lack of paragraphing, as the entire response is presented as a single block of text. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and phrases (e.g., 'subsequently', 'following this', 'once the process is complete') and divide the response into logical paragraphs, such as separating the preparation, processing, and final stages.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate to describe the process, but it is quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'make its juice' and 'become crystal sugar' are functional but lack the precision expected in an academic report. There is limited use of less common vocabulary related to industrial processes. For example, instead of 'crushed by the machine', terms like 'extracted' or 'processed' would be more appropriate. The word choice is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it does not demonstrate the flexibility or precision required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. While there are some attempts at passive voice (e.g., 'sugar canes are left', 'is purified'), the grammatical range is limited. There are several minor errors, such as 'crushed by the machine to make its juice' (which is slightly awkward) and 'dried for few days' (missing the article 'a'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before periods. To improve, try to incorporate more complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or participial phrases to combine steps, and pay closer attention to article usage and punctuation.

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

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