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 of sugar.

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 from 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 separating 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 format as a process diagram showing how sugar is produced from sugar cane, noting the seven main stages. The overview captures the beginning and end points correctly. Key features from the source diagram, such as harvesting methods, crushing, purification with a limestone filter, evaporation, and centrifugation, are reported in a logical sequence. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum length requirement, containing only 124 words. This under-length issue prevents full development of all stages, capping the task achievement score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text demonstrates a clear overall progression, moving sequentially through the manufacturing steps. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well to guide the reader, with transition markers like 'Initially', 'Once it has matured', 'After that', and 'Furthermore'. Paragraphing is structured appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and body details. However, referencing in phrases like 'the purifying juice' exhibits minor awkwardness, but the arrangement remains coherent throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range suitable for describing a sequential process, successfully utilizing terms such as 'extracted', 'purified', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. Less common lexical items are attempted with general accuracy ('manual', 'crystals', 'maturity'). There is a slight slip with 'the purifying juice' instead of 'the purified juice' or 'the juice being purified', but overall word choices do not impede communication and reflect a sufficient working vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The text features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions ('sugar cane is harvested', 'the juice is purified') which are appropriate for process descriptions. Grammatical accuracy is generally sound, though there are occasional minor preposition errors, such as 'by the limestone filter' instead of 'through a limestone filter'. Complex structures are attempted with reasonable control, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout.

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

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