Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-20

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 below shows that the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane. First of all the main thing in making of sugar is the growing of sugar cane which is approximately have 12 to 18 months to grow. The second step is the harvesting step. In this process sugar cane is cut down by machine or by hands. The next step is crushing in which the sugar cane is putting in the machine and machine press the sugar cane. Juice is produce from sugar cane and waste material is seperated. Then the sugar cane juice is purified with the help of limestone filter. The next step is giving heat to the purified sugar cane juice. In this step juice is collect in the cyclinder and give heat. Then juice started to evaporate and juice becomes syrup. The syrup put into a machine called centrifugal machine in which sugar crystals is separated from syrup. The last and final step is drying and cooling process. In this process pure sugar is obtain.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You cover the main stages in the correct order, from growing and harvesting through crushing, purification, evaporation, centrifuging, and drying. You also include the 12–18-month growing period and both harvesting methods, which are relevant details. However, the response is mainly a step-by-step account and does not give a clear overall summary of the process, such as noting that it is a linear sequence that turns harvested cane into sugar. Some details are unsupported or imprecise: the diagram does not show waste being separated during crushing, and the final product is labelled “Sugar,” rather than “pure sugar.” To strengthen the report, add a concise overview and describe only features shown in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The stages are presented in a generally logical sequence, and signposts such as “First of all,” “The next step,” and “The last and final step” help the reader follow the process. The response also maintains its focus on sugar production. However, the repeated use of “the next step” and “In this process” makes the progression somewhat mechanical, and the whole report is written as one paragraph. Grouping the stages into paragraphs—for example, cultivation and preparation, followed by processing—would make the organisation clearer. Some links between actions could also be more precise, so that each sentence clearly shows what material moves to the next stage.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “crushing,” “limestone filter,” “evaporate,” “syrup,” and “sugar crystals,” which allows the reader to understand the stages. However, the range is limited by repeated general words such as “step,” “process,” and “juice,” and several word choices or forms are inaccurate. For example, “centrifugal machine” is less precise than the diagram’s “centrifuge,” while “pure sugar” adds a meaning not shown. Spelling errors such as “seperated” and “cyclinder” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process terms and vary verbs describing movement or transformation, while checking spelling and natural collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response communicates the sequence using mostly simple sentences and some attempts at longer structures, such as “The next step is crushing in which…” and “The syrup put into a machine…”. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently in verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction. Examples include “juice is produce,” “sugar crystals is separated,” and “The syrup put into a machine,” where the verb form or auxiliary is missing or incorrect. The opening phrase “shows that the manufacturing process” is also awkwardly constructed. These errors sometimes make the description less clear. Practise accurate passive forms, which are especially useful for process diagrams, and vary sentence structures while checking subject–verb agreement.

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