Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-10
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 illustrate the process about manufacturing of sugar from sugar cane.
Overall, There are seven step to make sugar from raw-materials. Sugar cane first grown and harvested before crushing and enter in manufacturing unit. Final product can make by drying and cooling step.
At started with growing sugar cane. It takes around 12-18 months for becoming mature, after that it cultivated. Usually, there are two types of cultivations. First is manual method and second is by help of suitable vehicle. Followed by, third step is crushing, in this rotter crush sugar cane and produced juice. After that, it entered in purification and evaporation step. With help of limestone filter, juice filtered it and entered in evaporator instrument, where water is evaporate and juice become thick paste . After that, it entered into centrifugation process, where separate sugar crystal from syrup. Finally, crystal entered into final process, it is drying and cooling and produced sugar.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| 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 overview is somewhat weak; it identifies the number of steps but does not highlight the key features of the process, such as the transition from raw material to juice and then to refined crystals. While the information is generally accurate, some details are slightly underdeveloped, and the description of the 'two types of cultivation' is not clearly supported by the provided diagram, which focuses on the manufacturing process rather than agricultural techniques. To improve, ensure the overview synthesizes the main stages more effectively and focuses strictly on the information provided in the visual prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. There is a logical progression from the initial growth of the cane to the final cooling stage. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'After that' is used three times). Additionally, some transitions are awkward, such as 'At started with' and 'Followed by, third step is'. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect ideas more fluidly and ensure that the referencing between sentences is clearer.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the process steps like 'crushing', 'purification', 'evaporation', and 'centrifugation'. However, there are several instances of imprecise word choice and minor errors, such as 'rotter' (likely meant 'rollers'), 'instrument' (which is vague), and 'produced juice' (should be 'produces'). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic verbs. To improve, try to incorporate more precise technical terminology related to industrial processes and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Examples include 'The diagram illustrate' (subject-verb agreement), 'Sugar cane first grown' (missing auxiliary verb), 'water is evaporate' (incorrect passive voice), and 'where separate sugar crystal' (missing subject). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some missing articles and awkward phrasing. While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent use of the passive voice for process descriptions would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.