Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-01
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 image illustrates about how sugar is produced from sugar cane from the various manufacturing process.
Overall, to produce sugar there are 7 steps, from them growing sugar cane is one of the main and first step to manufacture, and at the final through from different process it is ready for supply.
According to the diagram, the process is start from growing sugar cane between 12-18 months which took more than 1 year. In the second step, the cane is harvesting by machines or human physically, and after it harvest it goes through the crushing machine and it come out in the form of liquid which is know as juice. Then after, the juice put into the limestone filter to purifying it, which is needed for evaporator to becomes syrup and this process is done by heating. In the six step, the syrup transferred into a crystals. At the end, the final process is to drying and cooling crystals, and the sugar is ready for eating and sealing. Therefore, there are 7 step to manufacturing the sugar from sugar cane.
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 sugar production process, from growing to the final product. However, the overview is somewhat repetitive and lacks a clear summary of the key features, such as the transition from raw material to refined product. While the steps are identified, the description of the 'limestone filter' and 'evaporator' stages is slightly underdeveloped. To improve, ensure the overview highlights the transformation process more effectively rather than just counting the steps. The response addresses the prompt, but the analysis of the stages could be more precise and professional in tone.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'In the second step', 'Then after', 'In the six step'). The transition between sentences could be smoother to create a more natural flow. While the progression of the process is clear, the referencing is occasionally awkward, such as in the second paragraph where the connection between the growing stage and the final supply is slightly disjointed. Improving the variety of linking words would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision required for a higher band. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice errors, such as 'illustrates about how', 'it come out in the form of liquid', and 'the syrup transferred into a crystals'. The use of 'eating and sealing' is also slightly informal for an academic report. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise technical terminology related to manufacturing processes and ensure collocations are accurate, such as 'purifying the juice' rather than 'purifying it'.
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 distract the reader. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('the process is start', 'the cane is harvesting'), incorrect verb forms ('it come out', 'it harvest'), and article usage errors ('into a crystals'). While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors indicate a lack of control over complex structures. Focusing on consistent verb tense usage and pluralization rules would significantly improve the accuracy of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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