Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-17

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 of how a sugarcane plant can be converted into sugar.

Overall, the method for the production of sugar is completed in seven steps, starting from planting sugarcane crops and ending with the drying process.

At the beginning, the method starts with planting sugarcane plants, which then takes 12-18 months to fully grow. After that, the plants are harvested by using machines or labourers. When the harvesting is completed, the plants are collected and kept in a place for crushing. As the crushing part starts, the sugarcane is converted into juice. In addition, the juice that comes from the crusher is then transported to a purifying machine, which contains a limestone filter to remove small dust that remains in it.

Meanwhile, the remaining juice goes for evaporation, which contains a large container, and the remaining juice should be placed in it. Then, the container needs to be heated with fire and as the heat increase the juice convert into s

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the process as a sequence and give a useful overview that it has seven stages, beginning with growing cane and ending with drying. The early stages are described in reasonable detail, including the 12–18-month growing period, the two harvesting methods, crushing, and the limestone filter. However, the response stops during evaporation (“the juice convert into s”), so it does not report the final stages: the juice becoming syrup, separation of sugar crystals in the centrifuge, and drying and cooling. Some details are also unsupported, such as saying the filter removes “small dust.” As a result, the account covers the process only partially. To improve, complete every stage and describe the key transformations accurately and concisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and a chronological description of the process. Sequencing expressions such as “At the beginning,” “After that,” and “When the harvesting is completed” help the reader follow the early stages. However, some links are repetitive or awkward, including “At the beginning, the method starts,” and “Meanwhile” does not clearly signal the next stage in this linear process. The final sentence is cut off, which leaves the progression incomplete and weakens the ending. Use a more consistent sequence of transitions, and divide the process into clear stages or groups. Ensure each sentence connects accurately to the previous one and finish with the final output.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “harvested,” “crushing,” “juice,” “limestone filter,” and “evaporation,” so the main early steps are generally understandable. There are also attempts at more specific description, such as “transported to a purifying machine.” However, several choices are imprecise or repetitive: “planting sugarcane plants” and “the method starts” could be expressed more naturally, while “small dust” is not an accurate description of what the diagram shows. “The remaining juice” is repeated and does not clearly identify the material at each stage. The unfinished “s” also prevents the final process description from being understood. Choose precise process terms and avoid adding details not shown.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including relative clauses (“which then takes 12-18 months to fully grow”) and time clauses (“When the harvesting is completed…”). Most of the early-stage information remains understandable. Some grammatical errors are present, particularly in the final sentence: “as the heat increase” needs subject–verb agreement, and “the juice convert” needs a passive form such as “the juice is converted.” The response also ends mid-sentence, leaving the final clause incomplete. There is some awkward sentence construction in “the method starts with planting …, which then takes,” where the reference of “which” is unclear. Check agreement and passive verb forms, and proofread to ensure every sentence is complete.

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