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 production process of making sugar from Sugarcane step-by-step.

Overall, the process of making sugar contains 5 steps. In the initial step Sugarcane are produced by planting sugarcanes and ends with sugar drying and cooling.

First, Sugarcane are planted and they take 12-18 month to grow fully. When Sugarcane are fully grown they are harvested either with machine or by hands. After that they go for crushing, which turn Sugarcane into juice. When they are crushed they went through filtering process to purity the juice.

Subsequently, those filtered juice are heated using evaporator, which turn juice into syrup. When they became syrup, they went through centrifuge process, and it separates sugar Crystals from syrup. Afterward, they finally becomes sugar and they are placed into buckets for drying and cooling.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main stages of the sugar production process, from planting to cooling. However, the response is 18 words under the 150-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the task achievement score. While the overview is present, the description of the stages is somewhat brief and lacks the level of detail required for a high-scoring response. The process is described sequentially, but there is a lack of comparative language or a more sophisticated synthesis of the information provided in the diagram. To improve, ensure you meet the word count and provide a more thorough explanation of the technical stages, such as the specific role of the centrifuge or the evaporation process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. There is a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing the steps. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'First', 'After that', 'Subsequently', 'Afterward'). The transition between sentences could be smoother to improve the flow of information. While the progression is logical, the limited range of linking words and the occasional awkward phrasing in transitions prevent a higher score. Expanding the variety of cohesive devices would enhance the overall readability.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'harvested', 'crushing', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge' correctly identifying the stages of the process. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and form, such as 'purity the juice' (should be 'purify') and 'Sugarcane are produced' (sugarcane is typically treated as an uncountable noun in this context). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic verbs. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to use more precise terminology and demonstrate a better grasp of word forms and collocations related to industrial processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Subject-verb agreement is a recurring issue, such as 'Sugarcane are' (should be 'is') and 'they finally becomes' (should be 'they finally become'). Additionally, there are errors with articles and verb tenses, such as 'went through filtering process' (missing 'a') and 'take 12-18 month' (should be 'months'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the clarity of the writing. Focusing on basic subject-verb agreement and article usage will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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