Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-11
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 of sugar from sugar cane.
Overall, the very first step is growing sugar cane about 12-18 months with the harvesting and cutting process.
The process is followed by purifying of juice, juice is converted into syrup and the centrifuge step. The last step is drying and cooling of sugar.
At the beginning, the starting step includes the growing of sugar canes. About 12-18 months is required in this process. The next process is harvesting of sugar canes which are done by farmers and also includes the harvesting machine, followed by crushing of sugar canes that are converting in juice.
The next step is the purifying of juice. The limestone filter is included in this step. The juice becomes syrup this process is known as Evaporator.
The centrifuge process in which the sugar crystals separate from syrup.
The last step is drying and cooling of sugar and the sugar is ready.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
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 drying and cooling. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the process as a whole. While the key steps are identified, the response would benefit from a more cohesive summary that highlights the transformation from raw material to finished product. Some steps, such as the 'evaporator' and 'centrifuge' stages, are mentioned but not clearly explained in terms of their function within the process. To reach a higher band, ensure that the relationship between the stages is more explicitly stated.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is logically organized into a clear sequence, following the chronological order of the diagram. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical. Phrases like 'The next step is' and 'The last step is' are used frequently, which makes the flow feel a bit stilted. Paragraphing is present, but the structure could be improved by grouping related stages more effectively rather than listing them in short, choppy sentences. Improving the variety of linking words and transition phrases would help the text flow more naturally and improve the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with accurate use of technical terms such as 'centrifuge', 'limestone filter', and 'evaporator'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic verbs like 'is' and 'includes'. There are also some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'converting in juice' instead of 'converted into juice' or 'the starting step includes'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise verbs and descriptive nouns to explain the process, which would demonstrate a more sophisticated control of language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'growing sugar cane about 12-18 months' (missing preposition) and 'harvesting of sugar canes which are done by farmers' (subject-verb agreement). Additionally, some sentences are fragmented or lack proper punctuation, such as 'The centrifuge process in which the sugar crystals separate from syrup.' While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on sentence construction and ensuring subject-verb agreement will help improve accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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