Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-27

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 shows the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, it is crystal clear that the sugar producing from sugarcane has 7 steps . This process start with the growing and completed with the last drying and cooling process.

At a fleeting glance , it starts with the growing which is the longest process which take 12 to 18 months to fully frown the sugarcane. Then it is cultivated by the farmer and transported it in the factories where it is crushed in the heavy machines and turned it into juice.

Moving to the next step, the juice get purified in the limestone filter. Then it will be put on the heat to evaporate where the juice turned into the syrup. The next thing is to separates sugar crystals from syrup. At last the sugar crystals will be drying and it will cooled and it is totally ready to be sell .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, from growing to the final product. However, the description is somewhat basic and lacks a clear, analytical overview of the key features. While the steps are identified, the response would benefit from more precise terminology and a clearer distinction between the mechanical and chemical stages. The summary is functional but lacks the depth required for a higher band, as it merely lists the steps rather than synthesizing the information effectively. The inclusion of the 'growing' stage is relevant, but the focus should remain primarily on the manufacturing process itself.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Then', 'Moving to the next step', and 'At last' are used to sequence the information. However, the use of these devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. The transition between sentences could be smoother, and the referencing is occasionally imprecise, such as in the phrase 'it is cultivated by the farmer and transported it', where the pronoun usage is slightly awkward. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear, but the paragraphing and linking could be more sophisticated.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are several instances of awkward word choices or incorrect collocations, such as 'frown the sugarcane' (likely meant 'grow') and 'ready to be sell' (should be 'ready to be sold'). The range of vocabulary is limited to basic process-related terms. To achieve a higher score, the student should incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'extraction', 'centrifugation', or 'refinement', rather than relying on simple verbs like 'put' or 'turned'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('the juice get purified', 'the sugar crystals will be drying'), incorrect verb forms ('ready to be sell'), and missing articles. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. A greater focus on proofreading for basic tense consistency and passive voice construction would significantly improve the accuracy of the report.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.