Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The process chart represent the producing steps for taking out sugar from sugarcane
Overall, sugarcane take 12 to 18 months for growing and it is crushed by machine and taking juice of sugarcane and the juice is processed and sugar is maded
To begin with step 1 sugarcane takes about 1 year to 1.5 year to fully prepared for harvest. There are two ways of cutting sugarcane anyone can cut according to there need first is to cut by hands or we can harvest it by big harvestors. Then sugarcane is passed through juice maker of sugarcane which take out juice of sugarcane from it
In addition to this, juice is purified by limestone filter a single droplet is filtered through it , after it liquid which came from filter is evaporated by heat. At second last centrifuge it is a machine which seperates sugar crystals from syrup , at final step it is left to be cooled after drying it , the sugar is ready
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the process, from the growth of the sugarcane to the final product. However, the overview is somewhat repetitive and lacks a clear summary of the key stages. The description of the process is functional but lacks the precision required for a higher band. For example, the mention of 'two ways of cutting' is a minor detail that distracts from the core manufacturing process. To improve, focus on grouping the stages more logically (e.g., preparation, extraction, purification, and refinement) and ensure the overview highlights the transformation from raw material to finished product more effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the flow between sentences is often mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'then' and 'after'. The transition between the growth phase and the industrial processing phase is abrupt. Paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be improved by using more varied linking words to show the sequence of events more clearly. The overall progression of ideas is logical, but the lack of sophisticated cohesive devices limits the score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. There is significant repetition of terms like 'sugarcane', 'juice', and 'sugar'. Some word choices are inaccurate, such as 'maded' (a grammatical error) and 'juice maker' (a simplistic term for a crusher or mill). To improve, you should aim to use more specific technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'extraction', 'purification', 'evaporation', and 'crystallization'. Expanding your range of synonyms will help you avoid repetitive phrasing and demonstrate a better command of the language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. Examples include 'The process chart represent' (subject-verb agreement), 'sugar is maded' (incorrect verb form), and 'there need' (incorrect homophone). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several run-on sentences and missing commas. While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of basic errors in tense and word formation prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent verb tenses would significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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