Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-19
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 process of how sugar is produced from sugar cane.
Initially, sugar canes took 12 to 18 months to grow. Then, sugar canes are harvested by either hand or machine. This is followed by harvested canes are processed for crushing, which transform canes into juice. Subsequently, limestone filter purifies this juice by removing unneccessary contaminents.
In the fifth stage, evaporator converts juice into syrup by providing high degree temperature. In the next stage, centrifuge separates sugar crystals from syrup. In the final step, sugar crystals are dried and cooled to get final sugar. This is the whole process of getting sugar from sugar canes.
Overall, it is evident that this process consists of seven different steps, which begins with growing sugar canes and ends with get sugar by drying and cooling sugar crystals. However, havesting, crushing, purifying juice, evaporator, centrifuge are the essential parts of this manufracturing process.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all stages of the process, from the growth of the sugar cane to the final product. The main features are identified, and the sequence is logical. However, the response is quite brief and lacks a more analytical approach to the process. For instance, it describes the steps sequentially but does not highlight the transformation of the raw material effectively. To reach a higher band, you should aim to group stages more effectively and provide a more detailed overview of the process as a whole rather than just listing the steps.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, body paragraphs, and an overview. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Then', 'Subsequently', and 'In the fifth stage' are used to guide the reader through the process. However, the paragraphing is slightly unbalanced, and the final paragraph is somewhat repetitive, as it restates information already provided. The flow is generally clear, but the use of linking words could be more varied to avoid a mechanical feel.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'centrifuge', 'evaporator', and 'contaminants' used correctly. However, there are some spelling errors, such as 'unneccessary' (unnecessary), 'havesting' (harvesting), and 'manufracturing' (manufacturing). Additionally, the phrasing 'get final sugar' and 'get sugar' is quite informal and repetitive. To improve, focus on using more precise verbs and ensuring accurate spelling of technical terms related to the process.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentences. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'sugar canes took' (should be 'take' for a general process), 'harvested canes are processed for crushing, which transform' (subject-verb agreement error: 'transforms'), and 'evaporator converts' (missing article: 'the evaporator'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles would significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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