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 diagram illustrates the manufacturing process of sugar from by using sugarcane.
Overall, it is a seven-step process, beginning with planting and growing of sugar canes and ending with drying and cooling of sugar.
At the first stage of the process, the crops of sugar canes are grown for almost 12 to 18 months. After that, the crop is harvested by using two methods. One method is by machine and other is human labor.
After harvesting, the sugarcane transferred to a machine, there juice is extracted from sugarcane, and in next stage it goes under process of purifying by limestone filter. Subsequently, the purified juice heated in evaporator until it becomes syrup and proceeds with centrifuge process. In this process, the sugar crystals will be separated syrup. At last, the sugar crystals undergo a drying and cooling process, and sugar is ready.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student successfully identifies the main features of the sugar manufacturing process, from planting and harvesting to cooling and drying. An overview is provided, noting that it is a seven-step process. Key stages such as harvesting via machine or human labour, juice extraction, purification using a limestone filter, heating in an evaporator, and the centrifuge process are mentioned. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 142 words, which incurs a penalty under Task Achievement. Furthermore, some minor details from the diagram are omitted or generalized, and the overview could be more fully developed to meet higher band criteria. Consequently, a band score of 5.0 is appropriate.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The report demonstrates a logical sequencing of information that follows the chronological progression of the diagram. Cohesive devices are employed to link the stages together, such as 'At the first stage', 'After that', 'After harvesting', and 'Subsequently'. Paragraphing is attempted, though the layout is slightly cramped. Referencing is generally clear, for instance, linking 'the sugarcane' to 'there juice is extracted'. However, some cohesive links feel mechanical or repetitive ('After that', 'After harvesting'), and the overall organization lacks the flexibility seen in higher bands. Therefore, a band score of 6.0 is awarded for adequate overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary relevant to the topic, including terms such as 'manufacturing process', 'crops', 'harvested', 'juice is extracted', 'purifying', 'evaporator', 'syrup', and 'crystals'. There are some lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasing, such as 'manufacturing process of sugar from by using sugarcane' and 'there juice is extracted', where 'their' or 'the' should be used. Less common items are attempted with mixed success. Spelling is generally accurate, but word choice errors prevent the response from achieving a higher band. A score of 5.5 reflects this level of lexical control.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'Overall, it is a seven-step process, beginning with planting and growing of sugar canes and ending with drying and cooling of sugar.' There are several grammatical errors and omissions of articles or prepositions, including 'the sugarcane transferred to a machine' (missing auxiliary verb 'is'), 'there juice' (incorrect pronoun), 'purified juice heated' (missing auxiliary 'is'), and 'separated syrup' (missing preposition 'from'). Despite these errors, communication is rarely impeded, and the sentence structures show some variety. A band score of 6.0 is justified for this control of grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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