Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-22

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 illustration highlight the process by which how sugar is formed from sugarcane in about 12 to 18 months.

On the whole, it is clear that sugarcane go through a series of 7 stages where it is turned into sugar. it initially harvest and continue untill it pass through centrifuge to make sugar.

In the first three steps, it is clear that producing sugar first require be fully grown in a filed, where it then harvested sugar canes in the field. In the same way, it then pulverized into cane juice with the use of crusher machine. In the fourth step, this liquid then pass through a limestone filler to become purifying juice.

In the fifth step, the purifying juice then heated in evaporator where it becomes syrup. In the last 2 steps, the syrup goes through centriguge where it seperates sugar crystals and then it is dried and cooled to make the sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as a sequence of seven stages and describe the main transformation from cane to juice, syrup, crystals and finally sugar. The overview also gives the growing period, which is a relevant detail. However, some stages are not reported precisely: the opening says sugar is formed “in about 12 to 18 months,” although this duration applies to growing, and the two harvesting methods—mechanical and manual—are omitted. The description of purification is also unclear (“to become purifying juice”), and the overview’s claim that the cane “initially harvest” does not accurately summarise the start of the process. To make the account more complete and clear, distinguish growing from processing and report the key methods and purpose of each stage accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows the diagram’s sequence, using stage markers such as “In the first three steps,” “In the fourth step,” and “In the fifth step.” This gives the reader a coherent overall route through the process, and the paragraphing separates the overview from the detailed stages. However, the progression is sometimes mechanical, and links between steps are not always expressed clearly. For example, “where it then harvested sugar canes” makes the relationship between growing and harvesting difficult to follow, while “In the last 2 steps” groups two distinct operations without clearly explaining their connection. Improve cohesion by using clear process links such as “Once mature,” “The extracted juice is then,” and “Finally,” and ensure each sentence has an unmistakable subject.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use several relevant process terms, including “crusher,” “limestone,” “evaporator,” “syrup,” and “sugar crystals,” which help convey the stages. There is also some attempt to vary wording with “pulverized” and “goes through.” However, vocabulary control is uneven: “limestone filler” is not the diagram’s “limestone filter,” and “centriguge” and “seperates” are misspelled. Phrases such as “sugar is formed” and “make the sugar” are understandable but imprecise or repetitive for a process description. Aim for accurate technical terms and natural collocations, for example “the cane is crushed to extract juice” and “the crystals are separated from the syrup.” Proofreading spelling would also make the description more precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including clauses with “where” and “where it becomes syrup.” However, control of basic sentence structure and verb forms is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make the process difficult to follow. Examples include “The illustration highlight,” “sugarcane go,” “it initially harvest,” and “this liquid then pass,” where subject–verb agreement or passive forms are needed. The sentence “producing sugar first require be fully grown” also has a faulty verb pattern. Capitalisation after the full stop in “it initially” should be corrected. Practise describing processes with consistent passive constructions, such as “The cane is harvested” and “The juice is heated,” while checking agreement and sentence boundaries.

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