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 given process illustrate how sugar is produced from sugar canes. It is well representation.
Overall, the process of manufacturing sugar from sugar cane involves various steps which commencing with growing sugar cane and culminating at eatable sugar.
Firstly, farmers grow sugar canes in the field which take 12-18 months to grow properly. When sugar canes grow fully then it is harvested by farmers with machine and hands. after which harvested sugar cane sent for making juice by using machines which crush the sugar canes and separated the juice and waste material.
In the subsequent steps, once juice is extracted from sugar canes, which then purify the juice by using limestone filter. before heating syrup from the juice, the juice is heated at high temperature afterwhich the syrup is sent for centrifuge in which sugar crystals are separated from syrup which latter dry and cool down in big jar and the final product from sugar canes is produced.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the process, from harvesting to the final product. However, the overview is weak; it lacks a clear summary of the key features or the overall nature of the process. The description of the stages is somewhat repetitive and lacks the precision required for a high band. For instance, the transition from heating to the centrifuge is slightly confusing. To improve, ensure that the overview highlights the most significant aspects of the process, such as the transformation from raw material to refined product, and ensure all steps are described with clear, logical progression.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'after which' and 'in the subsequent steps' are used, but the connection between sentences is sometimes disjointed. The referencing is also occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'which then purify the juice', where the subject is missing. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that pronouns and subjects clearly refer back to the previous information to create a smoother flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range expected at higher levels. There are several word-choice errors, such as 'eatable sugar' (should be 'edible' or 'refined sugar') and 'big jar' (which is not a technical term for a centrifuge or cooling container). The repetition of 'sugar cane' and 'juice' throughout the text limits the lexical variety. To improve, try to use more precise technical terminology related to manufacturing processes and avoid repeating the same nouns by using synonyms or referring back to them more effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The given process illustrate'), missing articles ('by machine and hands'), and awkward sentence construction ('which then purify the juice'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several run-on sentences and missing capital letters at the start of sentences. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring that every sentence has a clear subject and verb, and pay closer attention to article usage and verb tense consistency throughout the description.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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