Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-30
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 illustrated diagram which consists of total seven steps reveals the method of manufacturing sugar from sugar cane.
Firstly, sugar canes are grown in the fields till 12 to 18 months then that grown up sugar canes is harvested;Additionally it can be harvested manually or with the help of technologies and machines and in the next step sugar canes are crushed with the help of machines and the juice is produced which is further purified in the next step with the help of limestone filter, then that purified juice is evaporated to make thick syrup and then the process of centrifuge is done to separate sugar crystals from syrup which is also done with the help of machines and in the last step of the method sugar is placed in the big vessel for drying and cooling.
Overall, whole process takes lots of time and efforts which is fifty fifty i.e, both done manually and with the helps of technology and machines.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the sugar production process, from harvesting to the final drying and cooling. However, the report lacks a clear overview of the process as a whole, which is a requirement for a high band score. The description is largely a list of steps rather than a summary of the main features. While the steps are identified, the response fails to highlight the key transitions or the nature of the process (e.g., the transformation from raw material to refined product). The final sentence is somewhat subjective and does not accurately reflect the technical nature of the diagram, which focuses on the manufacturing steps rather than the 'time and effort' involved.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is essentially one long, run-on sentence after the introduction. This makes the text difficult to follow and lacks appropriate paragraphing. While some cohesive devices are used (e.g., 'Firstly', 'in the next step', 'Overall'), they are used mechanically and do not create a logical flow between ideas. The lack of sentence variety and punctuation makes the progression of the process feel repetitive. To improve, you should break the description into distinct paragraphs—perhaps one for the initial preparation and one for the refining stages—and use a wider variety of linking words to connect the steps more naturally.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'with the help of machines' are used multiple times, which limits the range of expression. There is little attempt to use more precise, technical vocabulary related to industrial processes (e.g., 'extraction', 'crystallization', 'filtration'). While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of variety in word choice prevents the response from achieving a higher score. Using more specific terminology would help demonstrate a better command of the language and make the report more professional.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response relies heavily on a single, long, comma-spliced sentence to describe the entire process. This indicates a lack of control over complex sentence structures and punctuation. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'that grown up sugar canes is harvested' (subject-verb agreement) and 'with the helps of technology' (incorrect pluralization). The range of structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple clauses joined by 'and' or 'then'. To improve, you should focus on using a mix of simple and complex sentences, ensuring correct subject-verb agreement, and using punctuation to separate distinct ideas.
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.