Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-13

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 process diagram illustrates the process of manufacturing sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, the process consists of seven main stages, starting with harvesting the sugar cane and ending with drying and cooling the sugar.

Initially, after 12-18 months sugar cane harvested by automatic machine, which could collect the sugar canes much faster or by manual, which can be time consuming, then sugar cane is crushed and becomes juice, followed by purifying the juice by limestone filter. The next stage is, heating the juice bu evaporator so it becomes syrup and then, we transform the syrup to centrifuge then it separates sugar crystals from syrup. Once syrup and sugar crystal separated the final step is drying and cooling the sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the process as having seven stages and give a clear start-to-finish outline, including crushing, filtering, evaporation, centrifuging, and drying. However, the overview says the process starts with harvesting, whereas the diagram begins with sugar cane growing for 12–18 months; harvesting follows this. The description also adds unsupported comparisons about mechanical harvesting being faster and manual harvesting being time-consuming, while omitting that either method can be used. Some stages are under-explained, particularly the separation of crystals from syrup and the final product. The response is also below the required 150 words. To strengthen coverage, describe the growing stage accurately and add relevant detail from the diagram without speculation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows the process in a generally logical order, and sequencing phrases such as “Initially,” “The next stage,” and “the final step” help the reader follow the stages. The opening and overview also provide a basic framework. However, most of the process is compressed into one long paragraph, so the stages are not clearly grouped or developed. Some links are awkward or unclear, particularly “then sugar cane is crushed” and “we transform the syrup to centrifuge,” which makes the transition between stages harder to follow. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and detailed sequence, and connect each stage with clear, accurate references to the material being processed.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “manufacturing,” “limestone filter,” “evaporator,” “syrup,” and “sugar crystals,” which allows the main stages to be understood. However, the range is limited and some word choices or combinations are inaccurate: “transform the syrup to centrifuge” does not clearly describe the process, and “by automatic machine” is imprecise. Repetition of “process,” “sugar cane,” and “juice” also limits flexibility. Aim for precise process verbs and natural collocations, such as “is harvested mechanically or by hand,” “is passed through a limestone filter,” and “the centrifuge separates the crystals from the remaining syrup.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to combine stages using subordinate clauses and sequencing, as in “after 12-18 months…” and “Once syrup and sugar crystal separated…”. However, these longer constructions contain frequent errors that make some relationships difficult to interpret. For example, “sugar cane harvested” needs a passive verb (“is harvested”), and “Once syrup and sugar crystal separated” needs a complete verb phrase (“Once the syrup and sugar crystals have been separated”). The sentence beginning “Initially” is also overloaded, with several stages joined by commas and incomplete or poorly connected clauses. Use a mix of shorter, complete sentences and controlled complex sentences, checking articles, passive forms, and punctuation.

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