Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-08
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 5.0)
Seeds of sugar cane are planted in the field they take 12-18 months to grow properly. Once they are grown they are harvested, there are two ways to harvest the sugar canes one method is harvesting by machine and other is harvesting by hand. Harvesting by machine is easy way to harvest but on the other hand harvesting by hands is time taking now a days people prefer harvesting by machine because it is an easy method. Then sugar canes are put into crusting machine and juice comes out of the crusting machine. Limestone filter is used for purifying the juice and then juice is added to the evaporator it is heated at flame and juive turns into a brown syrup it is then centrifuges its the process in which sugar is seprated from the syrup and then it is kept in bowl for cooling and it becomes brown sugar.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main stages of the process, from planting to the final product. However, it lacks a clear overview or summary of the process, which is essential for Task 1. The description is somewhat narrative rather than analytical, focusing on the steps sequentially without highlighting the overall nature of the process. While the main features are identified, the response would benefit from a more formal structure, such as an introductory sentence paraphrasing the prompt and a concluding summary of the transformation. The inclusion of personal opinions like 'people prefer harvesting by machine' is inappropriate for an Academic Task 1 report, which should remain objective and focused solely on the provided data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is written as a single, dense paragraph, which hinders readability. There is a lack of effective paragraphing to separate the stages of the process. While some cohesive devices are used, such as 'then' and 'once', they are repetitive and mechanical. The flow of information is somewhat disjointed, and the lack of clear logical progression makes it difficult for the reader to follow the transition between stages. To improve, you should organize the information into logical paragraphs—for example, one for the initial growth and harvesting, and another for the industrial processing stages—and use a wider variety of linking words to connect ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate to describe the process but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. There are several spelling errors, such as 'crusting' (likely meant 'crushing'), 'juive', and 'seprated'. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on basic terms like 'easy way' and 'time taking'. To achieve a higher score, you should use more precise, technical terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'extraction', 'purification', 'evaporation', and 'crystallization'. Avoid informal phrasing and ensure that technical terms are spelled correctly to maintain a professional tone throughout your report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures and contains several run-on sentences, such as 'Seeds of sugar cane are planted in the field they take 12-18 months to grow properly.' Punctuation is largely absent, which makes the text difficult to parse. There are frequent grammatical errors, including missing articles ('by machine', 'by hand') and subject-verb agreement issues. The use of complex structures is very limited. To improve, focus on using a variety of sentence types, including complex sentences with subordinating conjunctions, and ensure that you use correct punctuation, such as full stops and commas, to separate distinct ideas and improve the overall clarity of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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