Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-03
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 flowchart represents a production process of sugar from sugar cane plants.
Overall, This involves 7 different steps with advanced machinary. It is a lengthy and time taking method for manufacturing sugar. After the conversion of sugar cane plants into liquid, it undergoes a long procedure of purification.
The germination of sugar cane to the stages of irrigation consumes a year or more. After the development of sugar cane plants they are harvested by the farmer manually or by using a tractor. These long sugar canes are crushed by a machine, consisting two wheels on either side, to convert it into juice.
However, this liquid which has pulp and other impurities. So, it is purified by a filter made of a material known as limestone. This juice is heated by a flame in a huge container. As a result, the density increases and gets converted into syrup. Later a circular spinning device with arrows separates the sugar crystals from the thick liquid. Finally, these solid substances are dried to form sugar.
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 the main stages of the sugar production process, from cultivation to the final product. However, the description of the initial stages (germination and irrigation) is slightly extraneous, as the diagram focuses on the manufacturing process rather than the agricultural cycle. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated; it currently reads as a separate paragraph rather than a summary of the key features. While the main steps are identified, the response lacks a clear comparison or synthesis of the process, such as noting the transition from mechanical to chemical/thermal stages. To improve, focus strictly on the steps shown in the diagram and ensure the overview highlights the transformation from raw material to refined product.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organized into paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'After', 'However', 'As a result', and 'Finally' are used to guide the reader through the stages. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be improved; the second paragraph contains a mix of overview and specific detail, which disrupts the flow. The use of referencing is generally clear, though the connection between the 'liquid' and the 'pulp' in the third paragraph could be smoother to enhance the overall cohesion of the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'purification', 'density', and 'crystals' used correctly. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'machinary' (spelling error) and 'time taking' (non-standard collocation). The range is sufficient to describe the process, but it lacks the more sophisticated, precise terminology that would elevate the response to a higher band. For example, instead of 'huge container', a more technical term like 'evaporator' or 'vessel' would be more appropriate for an academic report. The student makes a few errors in word choice, but these do not impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'This involves 7 different steps' (lacks a clear subject reference) and 'consisting two wheels' (should be 'consisting of'). Punctuation is generally functional, though there are some issues with sentence fragments, such as 'However, this liquid which has pulp and other impurities.' This is a dependent clause and should be connected to a main clause. Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear throughout, and the grammatical control is sufficient for the task requirements.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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