Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The process illustrates how sugar is made from sugar cane step by step.

Overall, the process of making sugar has 8 steps, beginning with growing sugar cane and harvesting of sugar cane and ending with the drying and cooling of the sugar crystals.

First, sugar cane crop has to grow 12 to 18 months until it reaches its maturity, it is then harvested either using specialized vehicle or manually cutting. then sugar canes inserts into crushing machine and extract into juice.

After this, the juice is purified using Limestone filtering it to clean juice, i

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which severely impacts the score. Because the text is incomplete and stops abruptly mid-sentence, it fails to cover the entire process described in the diagram. While the introduction and the first few steps are identified, the lack of completion means the task is only partially addressed. To improve, you must ensure you describe all stages of the process shown in the diagram and meet the minimum word count to allow for a full development of the information provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response shows some attempt at logical sequencing by using transition words like 'First' and 'After this'. However, the abrupt ending and the very limited length make it difficult to assess the overall coherence and paragraphing effectively. The text lacks a clear conclusion or a cohesive summary of the process as a whole. To achieve a higher band, ensure that your ideas are fully developed and that you use a wider range of cohesive devices to link the stages of the process more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for describing a process, with terms like 'maturity', 'harvested', 'purified', and 'crushing machine'. However, the range is limited and there are some awkward phrasings, such as 'sugar canes inserts into crushing machine'. The vocabulary is repetitive and lacks the sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more precise verbs and nouns related to industrial processes and ensure correct word forms are used in your sentences.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are several grammatical errors that hinder the flow of the text. For example, 'sugar cane crop has to grow' (missing article), 'sugar canes inserts' (subject-verb agreement error), and 'extract into juice' (incorrect verb form). The sentence structures are relatively simple, and the incomplete nature of the text prevents the demonstration of a wider range of complex structures. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and ensuring that your sentences are complete and grammatically sound.

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

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