Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-22

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 method of creating sugar from the sugar cane, which is consisted of eight diverse steps.

Overall, the diagram represents the simple process which is done through several stages which starts from raw crops harvesting and ends at the sugar's cooling and drying.

In general, the procedure starts from growing crops which takes 12 to 18 months of time to grow when the sugar cane crops mature then the harvesting process is started. The harvesting is done through agricultural tools by farmers and some cutting process is done by crops cutting machines. Meanwhile, the canes are sent for crushing from a wheel’s machine which crush them and squeeze their juice.

Furthermore, juice is poured inside the limestone filter where it is purified and send for evaporation where through heath the juice is evaporated and became in the form of syrup. After that the syrup is sent for Centrifuge where sugar crystals separate from sweet liquid. At the end of the method drying and cooling process will be done to sugar and it became in form of sugar which we use on daily basis.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully identifies the main stages of the sugar manufacturing process, starting from the cultivation of sugar cane and finishing with drying and cooling. An overview is provided, though it contains some minor inaccuracies in counting the steps (stating eight steps when the diagram shows seven distinct stages). Key features, such as the two harvesting methods (hand and machine), the crushing phase, purification via a limestone filter, evaporation, and centrifugation, are all reported. However, the development of some details is slightly repetitive towards the end of the text. Overall, all parts of the task are addressed adequately, fulfilling the requirements for Band 6.5 to 7.0, with a balanced approach to reporting the flow of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is generally coherent and follows a logical, chronological sequence matching the diagram's flow. Basic cohesive devices are used to link the stages together, such as 'In general', 'Meanwhile', 'Furthermore', and 'After that'. However, paragraphing is underdeveloped; the main body and overview are compressed into overly dense blocks rather than being separated into logical steps of the process. Additionally, referencing is sometimes repetitive or slightly mechanical, such as repeating 'the juice' and 'the syrup' without varied substitution. This places the response firmly in Band 6, as the overall progression is clear despite the mechanical cohesion and poor paragraph structuring.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for describing a mechanical and agricultural process, using terms such as 'cultivation', 'harvesting', 'crushing', 'purified', 'evaporated', and 'crystals'. However, there are notable lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as 'manufacturing method of creating sugar', 'crops cutting machines', 'wheel’s machine', and 'sweet liquid'. Word formation and collocations are occasionally faulty ('through heath the juice is evaporated and became in the form of syrup'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main points, these limitations prevent the response from achieving a higher band, making Band 6.0 an accurate reflection of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are several noticeable grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, including passive voice errors ('which is consisted of eight diverse steps', 'is done through several stages which starts'), tense inconsistencies ('became in the form of syrup'), and run-on sentences ('when the sugar cane crops mature then the harvesting process is started'). Punctuation is also weak, leading to comma splices and lack of appropriate stops. Although these errors do not completely impede communication, their frequency prevents the score from reaching Band 6.0, justifying a Band 5.5.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.