Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-25

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 diagram illustrate the process of producing sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, the canes undergo seven stages to turn into sugar, and the process takes up approximately year or a year and a half.

The first step is to grow sugar can and it takes about 12-18 month for it to mature after it has fully grown, it is harvested either manually mechanically. The manually method involves farmers removing the leaves first and then chopping the cane while the mechanized method uses machines to cut the canes directly.

The harvested canes are then crushed

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is significantly under-length, failing to meet the 150-word minimum requirement. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed. The description stops abruptly after the crushing stage, omitting the subsequent stages of the manufacturing process (purification, evaporation, crystallization, and separation). Because the response is incomplete and fails to provide a full summary of the process, it cannot reach a higher band. To improve, you must ensure all stages of the diagram are described and that you meet the minimum word count to allow for a full development of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response shows a basic attempt at organization with an introduction and a body paragraph. However, the abrupt ending severely disrupts the flow and logical progression of the text. Cohesive devices are minimal; for example, the transition between the introduction and the first body paragraph is functional, but the lack of completion makes the overall structure feel fragmented. To improve, ensure that you use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'following this', 'as a final step') to connect the various stages of the process logically.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the task, such as 'mature', 'harvested', and 'mechanized'. However, there are errors in word formation and collocation, such as 'manually method' instead of 'manual method' and '12-18 month' instead of '12-18 months'. The range of vocabulary is limited due to the incomplete nature of the response. To achieve a higher score, focus on using more precise terminology related to industrial processes and ensure correct word forms are used consistently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors that affect clarity. For instance, 'The diagram illustrate' should be 'The diagram illustrates' (subject-verb agreement), and 'approximately year' should be 'approximately a year'. There is a mix of simple and some complex structures, but the frequency of errors is noticeable. To improve, pay closer attention to basic grammatical rules like subject-verb agreement, pluralization, and the use of articles. Proofreading your work for these small but frequent errors will help improve your accuracy.

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

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