Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-24

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 given process chart illustrates the information about the production of sugar through the sugar cane .

At the onset , it is evident that the process of formation of sugar completes within several steps . Initially , it starts with planting the sugar canes and ends with the final product .

To begin with , sugar canes are grown within 12 and 18 months . after this , it is harvested by the farmers . The sugar canes are passed in a machine to clean its all impurity . T hen sugar canes are crushed by the crusher to get juice . Afterwards , limestone filter is used to clean the juice . following this , juice is transported into evaporator , there sugar liquid become syrup . In nest step , the syrup goes under the centrifugal process . Here , all sugar crystals are separated from the syrup . At the final stage , syrup is dried and cooled in a container . Finally , the sugar is ready to use

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all stages of the sugar manufacturing process, from cultivation to the final product. You have successfully identified the main features and followed the chronological order of the diagram. However, the response lacks a clear overview or summary of the process, which is essential for a high band score in Task 1. While you mention the process has several steps, you do not highlight the key stages or the transformation involved. To improve, ensure you include a concise summary paragraph that synthesizes the information rather than just listing the steps sequentially.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is logically organized and follows the chronological flow of the diagram. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Afterwards', 'following this', and 'In next step' to guide the reader. However, the paragraphing is insufficient; the entire body of the response is contained within one large paragraph. For better coherence, you should group related stages (e.g., preparation, processing, and final refinement) into distinct paragraphs. Additionally, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, but the overall progression is clear and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the process clearly. You use relevant technical terms like 'crusher', 'limestone filter', 'evaporator', and 'centrifugal process'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing, such as 'passed in a machine to clean its all impurity' and 'sugar liquid become syrup'. These errors do not impede communication but indicate a limited range of sophisticated vocabulary. Expanding your range to include more precise verbs and collocations would improve your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors throughout the text, such as missing articles ('in a machine', 'in nest step'), incorrect preposition usage ('passed in a machine'), and subject-verb agreement issues ('sugar liquid become syrup'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with spacing around commas and periods. To reach a higher band, focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed with fewer errors.

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

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