Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-09

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 diagram illustrates the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, the process start with growing of sugar and passes through 5 steps of harvesting, crushing, purifying, evaporator and last after drying and cooling sugar is obtained.

To begin with , the process starts with growing of sugar cane in 12 to 18 months and followed by harvesting by two different methods. The harvested sugar cane undergone crushing in which the cane crushed under the machine to get juice from it then the juice is purified in limestone filter perfectly.

The purified sugar cane juice sent to evaporation under high temperature in which the juice becomes syrup the remaining part in the next step sent for centrifugation in the machine in which the separated sugar converted into crystals from syrup. IN the last step crystals are sent for drying and cooling in the container to get fine form of sugar crystals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the sugar production process, from the initial growth of the cane to the final cooling of crystals. However, the overview is slightly inaccurate, as it lists 'evaporator' as a step rather than 'evaporation'. Furthermore, the description of the process is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical focus on the transition between stages. While all key features are mentioned, the explanation of the centrifugation stage is slightly confusing, and the connection between the syrup and the final crystal formation could be more clearly articulated to demonstrate a full understanding of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into a logical sequence, following the chronological order of the diagram. Paragraphing is present, though the essay is quite short, making the structure feel somewhat compressed. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'then', and 'in the last step' are used to guide the reader, but they are somewhat basic and repetitive. The flow between sentences is generally clear, but the lack of more sophisticated linking words or varied referencing limits the overall coherence. The transition between the purification and evaporation stages could be smoother.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using technical terms like 'centrifugation', 'crystals', and 'purified' correctly. However, there are instances of awkward word choice and grammatical inaccuracy in word forms, such as 'growing of sugar' instead of 'growing sugar cane' and 'evaporator' instead of 'evaporation'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on simple verbs like 'get' and 'sent'. To reach a higher band, the student should aim for more precise terminology and avoid repetitive phrasing, while ensuring that word forms are used accurately in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'the process start with' (subject-verb agreement), 'the cane crushed under the machine' (missing auxiliary verb), and 'the purified sugar cane juice sent' (missing verb). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors indicates a lack of control over complex structures, keeping the score in the mid-range.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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