Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-21

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 for making sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, it can be observed that the process is continuous, consisting of seven stages, starting from the growing of sugar canes and culminating at drying and cooling of sugar crystals.

Beginning with the process, sugar canes are grown in about 12-18 months. After the required growth period, they are harvested by two ways including by farmers as well as tracters. Since sugar canes are harvested, they are crushed to obtain juice which is then purified by means of Limestone filter.

Once the juice is obtained, it is evaporated to turn into syrup. Heat is provided for this process. Subsequently, process of centrifugation is applied. This process assists the separation of sugar crystals from syrup. Eventually, these sugar crystals are dried and cooled.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student successfully identifies the main features of the sugar manufacturing process, providing an accurate overview that outlines the seven distinct stages from growing to drying and cooling. Key steps such as harvesting, crushing, juice purification via a limestone filter, evaporation into syrup, and centrifugation are all reported sequentially. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 134 words. This under-length issue directly impacts the completeness of the response, preventing a fuller extension of ideas and leading to a penalty under Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The text exhibits a clear overall progression, moving logically from the initial growth stage through to the final cooling of the sugar crystals. Paragraphing is appropriately handled, with a sensible introduction and overview followed by the body detailing the process steps. Cohesive devices such as 'Beginning with', 'Subsequently', and 'Eventually' are used to guide the reader through the sequence. Although referencing and linking are generally effective, the mechanical nature of some transitions prevents the response from reaching the higher bands.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully employing process-specific terminology such as 'manufacturing process', 'sugar crystals', 'centrifugation', and 'purified'. There are occasional awkward word choices or minor slips, such as 'by two ways including by farmers as well as tracters' (where 'tracters' also contains a spelling error). Nonetheless, the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main features of the diagram clearly without impeding the reader's understanding.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writing includes a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as passive constructions ('sugar canes are grown', 'juice which is then purified'). Grammatical control is generally decent, but there are noticeable errors and awkward phrasings, including 'Since sugar canes are harvested' (misuse of 'Since' instead of 'Once' or 'After') and the aforementioned spelling mistake ('tracters'). While these errors do not severely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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