Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-20

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 producing method for making sugar from sugar cane .

Overall, sugar is produced from the sugar cane which are grow in the farm and harvested then crushing by the machines and then purified , evaporated dried and cooled.

To begin with, in the sugar process first of all sugar plants are grown in the fields for 12 to 18 months then these sugar cane harvested with the combine machines or sometimes by hands. After that they crushed in the machine and prepared the juice.

Moreover, the juice is purified by the limestone filter and juice is separated and other material is separated. Then juice put on the heat water evaporator and juice becomes syrup. while this syrup centrifuge it separates sugar crystals from syrup. The last process is dried and cooled the crystals .The sugar become ready from sugar cane

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response provides a basic overview of the sugar manufacturing process, identifying the main stages from growth to final product. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the score. While the key stages are mentioned, the description lacks detail and fails to fully develop the information presented in the diagram. The overview is somewhat simplistic, and the connection between the stages could be more clearly articulated to demonstrate a better understanding of the process flow. To improve, ensure all steps are described with sufficient detail and meet the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'then', 'after that', 'moreover'). The progression of ideas is logical, but the transitions between sentences could be smoother to improve the flow. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'juice is separated and other material is separated,' which lacks precision. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring clearer referencing would enhance the coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Words like 'making', 'grown', and 'separated' are used frequently. There is an attempt to use process-related terminology such as 'purified', 'evaporated', and 'centrifuge', but these are not always used with high precision or correct grammatical form (e.g., 'evaporated dried and cooled' lacks appropriate conjunctions). To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes and avoid repeating simple verbs.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('sugar cane which are grow'), missing articles ('in the farm'), and awkward phrasing ('The sugar become ready'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the placement of commas and periods. The range of structures is limited, and the errors are noticeable throughout the text. Focusing on sentence construction and proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy will help improve this score.

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

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