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 flow chart represents that how sugar made from sugar cane and the entire process is complete with seven stages.
Overall, the process start with sugar canes which take 12 to 18 months to grow, and ends with the sugar.
It is clear from the picture that sugar cane take time minimum a year and after completed growth, harvesting process starts which required machines as well human support. When this step completed, then all sugar canes forwarded into a machine where the juice bring to crush technique. When crushing is done, next is purifying the juice with the help of a limestone filter.
Once the juice filtered, then it is time for making the syrup from it and trough evaporator, it is possible by providing the heat bellow. After making the syrup, the sugar crystals bring a separate from that and this is called a centrifuge. The final stage is drying and colling them and the sugar is ready.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the process, from growing the sugar cane to the final product. However, the overview is somewhat weak; while it mentions the start and end points, it lacks a summary of the key transformation stages. The description of the process is generally accurate, but some details are slightly imprecise, such as the description of the 'crushing' stage. To improve, ensure that the overview highlights the most significant features of the process rather than just the duration of growth. The response addresses the prompt adequately but lacks the depth required for a higher band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'When this step completed, then...', 'Once the juice filtered, then...'). There are also some issues with referencing and flow, such as the awkward phrasing 'sugar crystals bring a separate from that'. While the overall progression is clear, the lack of varied and sophisticated linking words limits the score. Improving the variety of transition signals and ensuring smoother sentence-to-sentence connections would enhance the coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range expected at higher levels. There are several instances of awkward word choice and grammatical errors in collocation, such as 'juice bring to crush technique' and 'colling them'. The use of vocabulary is somewhat basic, and the student relies on simple phrasing to describe technical processes. To achieve a higher band, the student should focus on using more precise terminology related to industrial processes (e.g., 'extracted', 'processed', 'refined') and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'the process start with' (subject-verb agreement), 'sugar cane take time' (missing article), and 'trough evaporator' (spelling/preposition error). While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on basic grammatical accuracy, such as subject-verb agreement, article usage, and correct prepositional phrases, will significantly improve the quality of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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