Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-23

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 complete manufacturing procedure for making sugar from sugar cane. The process is divided into 7 stages.

During the initial stage, Sugar Cane is harvested after the 12 to 18 months of growing and then these harvesting sugar canes are converted into usable sugar through some procedure like crushing to take the juice and then this juice pass through various processes.

After crushing the sugar canes we get juice and this purified using a limestone filter, this is 4th stage out of 7 stages for manufacturing sugar. This purified juice is then transferred into evaporators using fire for heat, the juice becomes syrup and in the second last stage the heated juice syrup pass through a Centrifuge process which separates sugar crystals from syrup. In the final stage these sugar crystals are then dried and placed for cooling, after that our sugar is ready and is put into the containers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but it lacks a clear overview or summary of the key features, which is essential for a Band 7 or higher. While the stages are mentioned, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks the analytical comparison expected in an Academic Task 1. For instance, the transition between the crushing stage and the purification stage is described in a narrative rather than a technical manner. To improve, you should provide a clear introductory summary that highlights the transformation from raw material to finished product and ensure all seven stages are clearly delineated and described with more precision.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by repetitive phrasing and a lack of varied cohesive devices. Phrases like 'this is 4th stage out of 7 stages' and 'in the final stage' are somewhat mechanical. The connection between sentences could be improved by using a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'following this', 'thereby'). The paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the second paragraph is quite dense, making it harder to follow the sequence of the manufacturing process clearly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic. You rely on simple verbs like 'get', 'take', and 'put', which do not demonstrate the precision required for describing a technical process. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'harvesting sugar canes' instead of 'harvested sugar cane'. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more precise technical terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'extraction', 'purification', 'crystallization', and 'centrifugation', rather than describing the actions in a conversational tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains several grammatical errors that affect the flow of the text. There are issues with subject-verb agreement and article usage, such as 'these harvesting sugar canes are converted' and 'this purified using a limestone filter'. Additionally, some sentences are run-on or lack proper punctuation, such as 'the juice becomes syrup and in the second last stage the heated juice syrup pass through a Centrifuge process'. You should focus on using more complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions, which are highly appropriate for process descriptions, while ensuring subject-verb agreement is maintained.

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

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