Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-12

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 diagram illustrates the production of sugar using sugar cane.

Firstly, sugar canes are grown by farmers in the duration of twelve to eighteen months. In the next step, sugarcanes are harvested using physical or mechanical energy. Moreover, in the third phase, canes are crushed using a machine which extracts the juice of canes.

In addition, the raw juice is purified and filtered by passing it through limestone filter. Then the filtered juice is heated using an evaporator. After this step the juice is turned into syrup because of heat. The sugar crystals are separated from syrup. At last, the obtained sugar is dried and cooled down. And the sucrose is made and ready to use.

Overall, it is clear that sugar production is a multi step process consisting of seven key processes. Beginning with cultivation of sugarcanes and culminating in the drying and cooling of the final sugar product.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all stages of the process, from cultivation to the final product. However, the summary lacks a clear overview of the main features or trends. While you mention it is a 'multi-step process,' you could improve by highlighting the key transformation stages, such as the transition from raw material to juice and then to crystallized sugar. The description is accurate but relies heavily on a sequential list of steps rather than synthesizing the information. To reach a higher band, ensure the overview identifies the most significant stages of the process rather than just listing them chronologically.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, moving step-by-step through the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the body, and the summary. You use some cohesive devices like 'Firstly,' 'In the next step,' and 'Moreover,' which help the flow. However, the transition between sentences can feel a bit mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and use more sophisticated referencing to connect the stages, such as 'Once the juice has been filtered, it is then subjected to...' instead of starting every sentence with a new time marker.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, using terms like 'cultivation,' 'harvested,' 'purified,' and 'crystallized.' However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'physical or mechanical energy' are a bit awkward in this context; 'manual or mechanical methods' would be more natural. Additionally, there is some repetition of the word 'juice' and 'sugar.' To improve, try to incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'extraction,' 'sedimentation,' or 'centrifugation,' where appropriate, to demonstrate a wider lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some minor grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'in the duration of twelve to eighteen months' (should be 'over a period of...') and 'passing it through limestone filter' (missing an article: 'a limestone filter'). The sentence 'And the sucrose is made and ready to use' is slightly informal due to the starting conjunction. While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more control over articles and prepositions to reach a higher band.

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

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