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 displayed process chart illustrates the information about production of sugar from sugar cane.
Overall, it is crystal clear from the given graph that it is a moderate process from first step of growing of sugar cane to end result of sugar.
At a fleeting glance, the first and foremost step is to grow sugar cane which takes about 12 to 18 months to get ready for cutting. Following this, the harvesting takes place and it can be done by hand toll and by machine also as machine is less time consuming than by hand. Consequently, after harvesting sugar cane the next step is to crush it extract juice from it which needs a specific machine in which sugar cane is filled and juice and waste material comes out separately.
Further delving into another given information, after-all that juice is purified with the help of limestone filler. In the next stage, evaporation takes place as the juice kept on heat and after some time juice convert into syrup. After that the sugar crystal is separated from syrup and this process is called centrifuge. The last process is drying and cooling sugar crystal and the sugar is ready after some time.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all stages of the process, from growing to the final product. However, the overview is weak; stating it is a 'moderate process' is vague and does not highlight the key features of the diagram, such as the duration of growth or the distinction between mechanical and manual harvesting. While the main steps are identified, the description lacks a professional, analytical tone. To improve, ensure the overview synthesizes the information rather than just stating it is a process. The inclusion of specific details like '12 to 18 months' is good, but the overall summary of the process flow could be more precise.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the stages of production. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Following this', 'Consequently', and 'In the next stage'. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be smoother. For instance, the transition between the harvesting and crushing stages is functional but could be more sophisticated. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial growth phase from the industrial processing stages, which is a positive feature of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing for a clear description of the process. You use terms like 'purified', 'evaporation', 'centrifuge', and 'syrup' correctly. However, there are some awkward phrasings, such as 'hand toll' (likely meaning 'hand tools') and 'juice kept on heat'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic verbs. To reach a higher band, incorporate more precise academic collocations related to industrial processes, such as 'subjected to', 'converted into', or 'separated by means of'. Avoid informal phrases like 'crystal clear' in an academic report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'illustrates the information about production' (missing article), 'as machine is less time consuming' (missing article), and 'juice convert into' (subject-verb agreement). Additionally, 'after-all that juice' is informal and grammatically awkward. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the process, they occur frequently enough to impact the overall fluency. To improve, focus on article usage, subject-verb agreement, and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed with correct punctuation and conjunctions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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