Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-12

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 given diagram illustrates the information about the process of manufacturing sugar from sugar cane. From this, it can be observed that the process involves 7 different stages, including growing and harvesting sugar cane, crushing, purifying the juice, evaporation, centrifugation, and drying and cooling.

Overall, it can be observed that the process involves 7 different stages divided into 3 sub-stages, namely: growing and harvesting sugar cane, producing juice, and producing sugar.

To begin with, the first two stages where sugar canes are planted for 12-18 months and harvested using machines and labor. Moreover, the next step involves crushing sugar cane to produce juice, followed by purifying the juice through a limestone filter.

Additionally, the fifth stage involves heating purified juice by an evaporator process, where the juice becomes a syrup. The next stage includes separating sugar crystals from the syrup in a centrifuge process; then the sugar is dried and cooled in the last stage

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response successfully covers all main stages of the sugar manufacturing process, as shown in the diagram. The student provides a clear overview in the introduction and second paragraph, noting the 7 distinct stages and 3 sub-stages. Key features such as the 12-18 month growing period, crushing, purification with limestone, evaporation into syrup, centrifugation, and final drying and cooling are all reported. However, some minor details could have been integrated more smoothly, and the overview in the second paragraph largely repeats the sentence structure and information of the first paragraph rather than adding new perspective. Nevertheless, all parts of the prompt are addressed adequately, earning a solid Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a logical progression from the beginning to the end of the manufacturing process. Paragraphing is utilised, although the paragraphs are somewhat short and fragmented (for instance, the second paragraph is a single repetitive sentence). Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', 'Additionally', and 'then' are employed to guide the reader through the stages. However, referencing and transitional links can feel slightly mechanical. Overall organisation is clear enough to follow the sequence easily, supporting a Band 6.0 rating.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a process, incorporating terms like 'manufacturing process', 'harvested', 'crushing', 'purifying', 'evaporator', 'syrup', and 'centrifuge'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, though phraseology occasionally leans on repetitive patterns, such as the repeated use of 'it can be observed that the process involves'. Word choice is generally appropriate and communication is not impeded by any lexical errors. This performance fits the Band 6.0 descriptor nicely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The text displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'where the juice becomes a syrup'). There are grammatical errors present, most notably in sentence fragments and awkward constructions like 'the first two stages where sugar canes are planted for 12-18 months and harvested using machines and labor', which lacks a main verb. Punctuation and article usage also show minor lapses. While these errors occur, they rarely impede communication, placing the response firmly at Band 5.5.

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