Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-28
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 4.5)
The diagram represents the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane.
Overall, sugar can to produce sugar take 7 process stages. growing after harvesting by man and machine,crushing them and purifying , heating and remove sugar crystals and cooling and drying pure sugar
Sugar production from sugar cane take 7 process stages. First sugar canes growing take 12 to 18 months after that harvesting by man and machines that cut into small pieces. cut pieces go for crushing make a juice which purifying by limestone filter. Juice go for Evaporator which heat juice to become syrup, sugar crystal from syrup are removing by centrifuge and sugar crystal drying and cooling give pure sugar.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5
The student successfully identifies the main stages of the sugar manufacturing process, starting from growing and harvesting through to drying and cooling. However, the response fails to meet the minimum word count of 150 words, coming in at only 114 words. Because the length requirement is not met, the task cannot be fully developed, leading to a lower score for this criterion. While the sequence of steps is generally outlined, the lack of extension and detail prevents it from reaching a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5
The text attempts a logical progression by following the sequential steps shown in the diagram. However, the paragraphing is poor, with the second and third paragraphs repeating much of the same content and containing fragmented structures. Cohesive devices are minimal and sometimes awkward, such as 'after that harvesting by man and machines that cut into small pieces.' Overall arrangement is somewhat disjointed, and referencing between steps is frequently unclear, pulling the score down to Band 4.5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with several awkward word choices and grammatical slips such as 'sugar can to produce' and 'making a juice which purifying'. While process-related terms like 'crushing', 'limestone filter', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge' are successfully lifted from the prompt, the student struggles to use them accurately within original sentences. Spelling and word-form errors, such as 'removing' instead of 'removed', occur frequently and restrict the range of vocabulary displayed.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
The response features a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple clauses and fragmented phrases. There are frequent errors in verb tense, voice, and subject-verb agreement throughout the text, such as 'sugar canes growing take 12 to 18 months' and 'juice go for Evaporator which heat juice'. Punctuation is also erratic, with missing commas and periods affecting sentence boundaries. These frequent structural errors impede comprehension in several places.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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