Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-30

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 given diagram illustrates the process that how sugar is produced from sugar cane. Overall, it can be seen that there are seven different steps for the manufacturing of sugar from sugar cane starting from the growth of plants and ending from the manufactured of sugar ffrom drying and cooling process. In terms of detail, initially suagr cane plants growth was completed in 12 to 18 months. Then these plants harvested by machines or cutters. After harvested the plants then it was mechanically crushed for making juices. Next, for purified the juice it passed through the limestone filter.Subsequently, this purified juice became syrup by heating in the evaporator.Consequently, in the centrifugal machine sugar's crystals separated from syrup. Finally, after drying and cooling process these crystals became purified sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as having seven stages and give a clear start and finish, while including the growing period and the two harvesting methods. Most stages are reported in the correct order, and the account is relevant to the diagram. However, the overview is awkward and partly unclear (“ending from the manufactured of sugar ffrom drying and cooling process”), and the final claim that the crystals become “purified sugar” is not explicitly shown; the diagram labels the final product simply as sugar. The response also falls 22 words short of the required minimum, limiting the detail provided. To strengthen coverage, explain more clearly how crushing produces juice, how heating turns it into syrup, and how centrifuging separates crystals from syrup.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction and overview are followed by a chronological account of the stages. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “Then,” “Next,” “Subsequently,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. However, the overview is difficult to interpret, and some links between stages are mechanically repeated, particularly the series of transition adverbs. The sentence beginning “After harvested the plants” also makes the connection between harvesting and crushing less smooth. Use clearer paragraphing and vary the way stages are connected—for example, group the growing and harvesting stages, then describe the processing stages. More precise references to the material at each stage would also improve flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “limestone filter,” “evaporator,” “syrup,” and “crystals,” which helps communicate the main stages. There is also some attempt to use formal sequencing language. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “plants harvested by machines or cutters,” “for purified the juice,” and “centrifugal machine.” Spelling errors, including “suagr,” “ffrom,” and “juices,” are noticeable and reduce the accuracy of the description. Some wording is also unnecessarily repetitive, especially repeated references to “process.” Aim for precise verbs such as “are harvested,” “is filtered,” and “is separated,” and check spelling and singular/plural forms carefully. This would make the vocabulary more reliable and natural for a process report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, and the sequence is generally understandable. For example, “Next, for purified the juice it passed through the limestone filter” attempts to connect purpose and process, while the final sentence summarises the last stage. However, some errors in verb forms, sentence construction, and articles remain. “Sugar cane plants growth was completed” does not form a natural grammatical clause, and “Then these plants harvested” is missing an auxiliary verb. In “After harvested the plants then it was mechanically crushed,” the opening clause and pronoun reference are not correctly formed. Use consistent present simple passive forms for a process: “The cane is harvested, then crushed.” Check punctuation too, including the missing space after “filter.”

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