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 the production process of sugar from sugar cane plants.
Overall, this involves 7 different steps with advanced machinery. It is a lengthy and time consuming 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 of 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 harvesting to the final product. However, the description of the initial stages (germination and irrigation) is slightly off-topic as the diagram focuses on the manufacturing process rather than the agricultural growth phase. The overview is clear, but the report lacks a cohesive summary of the key stages. While the main features are identified, the response would benefit from a more analytical approach to the process flow rather than a step-by-step narrative. The inclusion of subjective commentary, such as describing the process as 'lengthy and time consuming', is not appropriate for an academic report.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'However', 'As a result', and 'Finally', though some transitions feel a bit mechanical. The progression of ideas is generally clear, moving from the raw material to the finished product. However, the referencing is occasionally weak; for instance, the phrase 'this liquid which has pulp' is a sentence fragment that disrupts the flow. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that every sentence is grammatically complete would enhance the overall coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'purification', 'density', and 'crystals' used correctly. However, there is a reliance on somewhat simplistic phrasing, such as 'huge container' and 'circular spinning device'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'centrifuge' or 'evaporation'. There are also some minor issues with word choice, such as 'germination of sugar cane to the stages of irrigation', which is slightly imprecise in this context. Overall, the range is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as the sentence fragment 'However, this liquid which has pulp and other impurities', which lacks a main verb. Additionally, there are minor issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. While the meaning is rarely obscured, the control over complex structures is inconsistent. To improve, focus on ensuring that every sentence has a clear subject and verb, and try to vary the sentence structure further by using more passive voice constructions, which are standard for describing industrial processes.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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