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 diagram shows how sugar is produce from sugar cane. There are seven main stages in the process, starting with growing the plants and finishing with drying and cooling the sugar.

Firstly, sugar canes need to grow for 12 to 18 months. After that, farmers harvest the plants. Then the canes are crushed in a machine to extract the juice. The juice goes through a purification process, where a limestone filter is use to clean it. Next, the purified juice is heat in evaporator and it become a thick syrup. After that, the syrup is put into a centrifuge which separate the sugar crystals from the liquid. Finally, the crystals are dry and cool to produce the final sugar product.

Overall, this is a one way process which have several steps. The most important stages are crushing and purifying because without these the sugar cannot be make. The whole process take about 18 months from planting to final production.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the sugar production process. You have provided a clear overview and followed the chronological sequence from harvesting to the final product. However, the response lacks a more analytical approach. To reach a higher band, you should focus on grouping the stages more effectively (e.g., preparation, extraction, and refinement) rather than simply listing them step-by-step. Additionally, the conclusion includes subjective commentary ('The most important stages are...') which is not required in an Academic Task 1 report; focus strictly on the data or process presented in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body, and summary. You have used basic cohesive devices such as 'Firstly,' 'After that,' and 'Finally' to guide the reader through the process. While the progression is clear, the use of linking words is somewhat repetitive and mechanical. To improve, try to vary your transitions and use more sophisticated referencing to connect the stages, such as 'Following this stage' or 'Once the juice has been purified'. Paragraphing is appropriate, which helps maintain the overall flow of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'purification,' 'evaporator,' and 'centrifuge.' However, there are several instances of incorrect word forms, such as 'is produce' instead of 'is produced,' 'is use' instead of 'is used,' and 'is heat' instead of 'is heated.' These errors indicate a lack of precision in word choice and grammatical form. To improve, focus on ensuring that your verbs are correctly conjugated in the passive voice, which is essential for process descriptions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. While you have attempted some passive constructions, there are frequent errors in verb forms, such as 'is produce,' 'is use,' 'is heat,' and 'cannot be make.' These errors are consistent and detract from the clarity of the writing. To achieve a higher band, you need to demonstrate better control over passive voice structures and ensure subject-verb agreement. Incorporating a wider variety of complex sentences would also help to improve your score in this criterion.

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

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