Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-01

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 visual data below provides the information about the production for making sugar from sugar cane. Overall, there are seven stages included in the process of sugar making which are interlinked with each other.

To begin, the initial process starts with the cultivation of sugar canes which takes time for almost 1/2 year to fully grow, followed by a procedure called harvesting. The machine cuts the sticks of sugar cane and then a farmer peels of the branches. Furthermore, sugar canes has been placed into a crusher machine. The crusher machine squeezed the sugar canes, finally juice from sugar canes come out and store it into a big pot. After that juice has been placed in a limestone filter to clear unwanted particles.

Moreover, in evaporator machine, juice took the form of syrup by excessive heat. Then sugar crystals has been separated by a machine called centrifugal, Ultimately sugar has taken its shape in the form of white tiny crystals by drying and cooling process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the main parts of the diagram, identifying the seven stages of sugar production from growing to cooling. However, some aspects are only partially covered or lack precision. For instance, the description of the growing stage mentions 'almost 1/2 year' whereas the diagram specifies 12 to 18 months (one to one-and-a-half years). Furthermore, the harvesting stage details are slightly inaccurate, misinterpreting the dual mechanical and manual methods depicted in the visual data. The ideas are relevant and follow the sequence of the diagram, but some details remain under-developed or vague, preventing a fully clear and comprehensive report of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introductory paragraph and logical progression through the successive stages of the process. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader, such as 'To begin', 'Furthermore', and 'Moreover', though some transitions feel a bit mechanical or repetitive. Paragraphing is used adequately to separate the introduction from the body steps, but referencing and linking could be smoother and more naturally integrated to achieve a higher level of cohesion throughout the text.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The writer uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating process-related terms such as 'cultivation', 'crusher machine', 'limestone filter', and 'sugar crystals'. However, there are noticeable errors in word choice, form, and collocation that occasionally impede communication, such as 'production for making' instead of 'production of', 'peels of' instead of 'peels off', 'squeezed' instead of 'squeezes', and 'centrifugal' instead of 'centrifuge'. Less common vocabulary is attempted, but inaccuracies limit precision and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating an attempt at varied structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding verb tenses, passive voice formation, and article usage. Examples include 'sugar canes has been placed', 'juice from sugar canes come out and store it', and 'juice took the form of syrup'. These errors in grammar and punctuation persist throughout the text, although they generally do not completely obscure the overall meaning of the process.

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