Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-02

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 shows the process of making sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, The process inculdes seven main steps from growing the sugar cane to drying and cooling process. it is a man made liner process.

initially , The process begins with growing sugar cane for approximatly 12 to 18 months , then harvesting the sugar cane by workers or using harvesting machines, then crusing the juice seperated and followed by purifying juice by limestone filter.

later on , evaporator the juice becomes syrup by giving heat , then centrifuge in process separates sugar and crystals from syrup , then the final step is to dry and cool the sugar crystals .

these are the seven major steps that involve in the process of making sugar from sugar cane.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the sugar manufacturing process from growing to cooling, presenting an overview, but it only partially addresses the task requirements. First, the word count falls short of the required 150-word minimum, leaving the response under-developed. While the student identifies the seven main steps, the details regarding the dual harvesting methods (manual versus mechanical) and specific equipment like the centrifuge or evaporator are either omitted or stated too simply. To reach a higher band, the writer must meet the minimum word length and extend the descriptions of key features, such as explaining how the juice is extracted during crushing or detailing the transformation stages more thoroughly rather than just listing them.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text shows some organization with a clear opening and a concluding summary, and it uses basic sequencing expressions like 'initially', 'then', and 'later on' to follow the process steps. However, there is no clear overall progression between paragraphs, and cohesive devices are repetitive and mechanical, relying heavily on 'then' to connect clauses. Furthermore, paragraphing is underdeveloped, with most of the body sentences lumped into single-line paragraphs that hinder logical flow. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as floating phrases that lack smooth integration into full sentences. To improve, the writer needs to vary cohesive links, group related steps into well-structured paragraphs, and ensure a smooth, logical progression from start to finish.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate for describing a process, featuring task-specific terms such as 'harvesting', 'crushing', 'limestone filter', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors, including word-choice and word-form inaccuracies such as 'inculdes' (includes), 'liner' (linear), 'approximatly' (approximately), 'crusing' (crushing), and 'evaporator' used as a verb instead of 'evaporating'. Spelling mistakes occur across several key terms. These errors cause some difficulty for the reader. To achieve a higher band, the student must expand their vocabulary range, use correct word forms (e.g., noun versus verb forms), and eliminate spelling errors by carefully proofreading their work.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writing relies on a very limited range of sentence structures, consisting mostly of simple sentences or faulty complex attempts. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('the process', 'a man-made linear process'), incorrect punctuation with spaces before commas ('initially ,'), fragment sentences ('it is a man made liner process'), and flawed participial clauses ('evaporator the juice becomes syrup by giving heat'). Subject-verb agreement and prepositional use also show frequent inaccuracies. These errors demand effort from the reader to parse the intended meaning. To progress, the writer needs to practice constructing accurate complex sentences with correct subordination, fix basic punctuation habits, and ensure proper verb forms and agreement throughout.

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.