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 schematic diagram illustrates the production of sugar from the sugar canes.Initially the sugar cane are allowed to grow for the period of 12 to months.The farmers harvest these sugar canes manually and with agricultural equipment.These harvested sugar canes are transport to the production facility where they are crushed to extract the juice from them.The juice obtained then undergoes a filtration process to segregate the juice from unnecessary impurities.Ultimately the juice is heated on a high temperature where the water evaporates and juice become a syrup.Furthermore the sugar crystals are separated from the juice with a centrifuge.Lastly the sugar crystals are placed in a container and allowed to cool and dry. These dried and cooled crystals produce the finished sugar.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While the student identifies the main stages of the sugar production process, the description is overly simplistic and lacks the necessary detail to fully develop the response. There is no clear overview or summary of the process, which is a key requirement for Task 1. Furthermore, the response lacks comparative language or a sophisticated synthesis of the information provided in the diagram. To improve, the student should aim to expand on the description of each stage and ensure a clear overview is included to meet the length and content requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is written as a single block of text, which lacks appropriate paragraphing to separate the introduction, body, and conclusion. While there is a logical chronological progression, the use of cohesive devices is very limited and mechanical (e.g., 'Initially', 'Furthermore', 'Lastly'). The lack of paragraphing makes the text feel dense and less accessible. To improve, the student should organize the information into distinct paragraphs—typically an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the stages—and use a wider variety of linking words to connect ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'sugar canes are allowed to grow' and 'juice obtained' are functional but lack the precision expected at higher bands. There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'segregate the juice from unnecessary impurities' (separate is more appropriate) and 'heated on a high temperature' (heated to a high temperature). To improve, the student should incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'extraction', 'purification', 'crystallization', and 'centrifugation'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('sugar cane are allowed', 'sugar canes are transport') and prepositional errors ('heated on a high temperature'). The range of grammatical structures is limited, with few attempts at complex sentences or passive voice constructions, which are essential for describing processes. To improve, the student should focus on mastering passive voice structures (e.g., 'The juice is filtered to remove impurities') and ensuring subject-verb agreement, while also attempting to combine simple sentences into more complex, compound structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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