Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-29

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 process that produces sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, there are seven main stages of the process. Starting with the growing and ending with the drying and cooling ofsugar.

Initially, the sugar cane is grown for 12-18 months. Once it has matured, sugar cane is harvested either manually or by machine. After that, the sugar cane is crushed and the juice is extracted. The juice is purified by the limestone filter that removes the extra particles to the juice.

Furthermore, the purifying juice is heated by an evaporator, and then it becomes a syrup. The syrup is passed through the centrifuge for further separation sugar crystals from syrup. After that, syrup is dried and cooled and produces the final sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student successfully identifies the main purpose of the diagram, which outlines the seven-stage manufacturing process of turning sugar cane into sugar. An overview is provided, stating the total number of stages from growing to drying and cooling. The steps are reported in chronological order, capturing key details such as harvesting methods, crushing, juice purification via a limestone filter, evaporation into syrup, centrifugation, and final drying and cooling. However, the response is under-length at 123 words, falling short of the 150-word minimum requirement. This restricts the depth of development, preventing the response from reaching a higher band score despite accurately outlining the process.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text maintains a clear overall progression that follows the chronological sequence of the diagram. Cohesive devices are employed to link the stages together, such as 'Initially', 'Once it has matured', 'After that', and 'Furthermore'. Paragraphing is handled adequately, separating the introduction/overview from the main body process description. While the referencing is generally clear, the mechanical nature of some transitions prevents the response from achieving a higher band. Overall, the ideas are logically sequenced and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for a process description, using appropriate technical terms directly derived from the prompt, including 'harvested', 'crushed', 'juice is extracted', 'limestone filter', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. There are a few awkward lexical choices or minor errors, such as 'purifying juice' instead of 'purified juice' and 'separation sugar crystals' instead of 'separation of sugar crystals'. However, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the process clearly without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions ('sugar cane is grown', 'juice is purified') which are appropriate for a scientific process description. There are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'drying and cooling ofsugar' (spacing error) and 'particles to the juice' instead of 'particles from the juice'. Despite these occasional inaccuracies, the sentence structures remain largely clear and do not impede the reader's understanding.

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

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