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 picture illustrated the manufacturing process for sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, this is the process of sugar manufacturing. The process involves many stages like growing, harvesting, crushing, drying and cooling of final product.

First, Sugar is produced from sugarcane. Sugarcane is grown in fields for 12 to 18 months. After that it is harvested by the using of harvesting machine. Then sugarcane is crushing and the juice is extracted from the plant.

Next, The juice is purifying from the limestone filter. After this, The juice is heated for some time and they become a syrup. The syrup is placed in centrifuge where saperated sugar crystals from syrup.

Finally, The sugar crystals are dried and cooled in dryer. Now this process is completed and the sugar is ready for packing.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the description of the process. While the main stages are identified, the overview is simplistic and lacks a clear summary of the key features or the transformation involved. The description is quite brief, and some stages are described with minimal detail, such as the transition from syrup to crystals. To improve, you should aim to expand on the description of each stage and ensure the overview highlights the overall nature of the process more effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'First', 'Next', 'After this', 'Finally'). The logical flow is generally clear, but the lack of sophisticated linking words makes the progression feel a bit disjointed. To improve, try to vary your transition signals and use referencing more effectively to connect sentences, rather than relying on a simple list-like structure. The paragraphing is present but could be more balanced to better reflect the stages of the process.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You use terms like 'manufacturing process' and 'sugar crystals' correctly, but there is a lack of variety in your word choice. Phrases like 'the using of harvesting machine' are awkward and demonstrate a limited range. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise, process-related vocabulary such as 'extraction', 'evaporation', 'crystallisation', and 'refinement'. Avoid repetitive sentence starters and try to use more descriptive verbs and nouns to explain the technical stages of the process.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly with verb forms and article usage. For example, 'sugarcane is crushing' should be 'sugarcane is crushed', and 'the juice is purifying' should be 'the juice is purified'. Additionally, there are issues with subject-verb agreement and unnecessary capitalization (e.g., 'First, Sugar is...'). The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. To improve, focus on mastering passive voice constructions, which are essential for process descriptions, and pay closer attention to verb tense consistency and article placement.

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

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