Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-19

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 production method for creating sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, it is grown first, then after some time it is harvested and then crushed by a machine. Afterwards, juice is obtained through filtration and evaporation processes, next separating sugar vapours from air, and then sugar is ready.

The sugar cane plants are planted for about 1 or 1.5 years. Following this, it is harvested by farmers through heavy machinery, then it is crushed through a crusher where its juice is sent for purification and filtering. Subsequently, the juice is sent into a boiler where it is heated to convert it into vapours. Next, it is sent to a centrifuge, where, by the spinning method, all sugar crystals are separated from syrup. Thereafter, sugar is collected in a massive container where it is left for drying and cooling. Then, sugar becomes ready for use by people.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student has attempted to summarise the main stages of the sugar cane manufacturing process, covering key steps from growing and harvesting through crushing, purification, evaporation, and centrifuging to drying and cooling. However, there are minor inaccuracies in describing the process, such as referring to 'sugar vapours' instead of syrup or steam, and mentioning that the plant is grown by being planted. More importantly, the Length Check confirms the response is 148 words long, falling just short of the 150-word minimum requirement. Consequently, a slight penalty must be applied under Task Achievement, resulting in a band score of 5.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The text demonstrates a clear attempt to structure the information logically, starting with an introductory sentence, followed by an overview in the first paragraph, and detailed steps in the second paragraph. Cohesive devices are used to sequence the stages, such as 'Following this', 'then', 'Subsequently', and 'Thereafter'. However, the paragraphing is somewhat underdeveloped, as the overview and the first part of the process are lumped into a single short paragraph, and the flow can feel slightly mechanical. Referencing is generally clear, but the logical progression could be smoother. Overall, the organization is adequate for a band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, with appropriate process-related terms such as 'harvested', 'crusher', 'purification', 'centrifuge', and 'crystals'. However, there are some imprecise lexical choices, such as 'production method for creating sugar' instead of 'manufacturing process', and 'sugar vapours'. The range is somewhat limited, and there is reliance on basic descriptive words. Nevertheless, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main steps without impeding communication, earning a band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing passive and active structures such as 'juice is obtained through filtration' and 'where, by the spinning method, all sugar crystals are separated'. There are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'it is grown first, then after some time it is harvested' and pronoun reference issues ('The sugar cane plants are planted... Following this, it is harvested'). Despite these errors, they rarely impede understanding, and the sentence structures show some variety, supporting a band 6.0 score.

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