Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-02

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 that how sugar is produced from sugar cane.

Overall, the process diagram consists of seven steps, begining with growing of the sugar canes for 12-18 months and ends by drying and cooling the sugar.

Looking at the details, initially the manufacturing process starts by growing of the sugar canes which takes 12-18 months. The next step is harvesting which can be done by the farmers or with help of the tractors. On the next stage, crushing of the sugar canes takes place which produces the juice.

Limestone filter helps to purify the juice. After that, the juice is heated on the flame and juice becomes syrup. The next step is centrifuge which separetes sugar crystals from syrup. On the last stage, drying and cooling of sugar take place and finally sugar is ready to use for different purposes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as having seven stages and give a relevant overview from cane growing to drying and cooling. The main sequence is mostly accurate, including harvesting, crushing, purification, evaporation and centrifuging. However, the response is under the required 150 words, and some details are incomplete: for example, the diagram shows harvesting by either a mechanical harvester or by hand, rather than simply by “farmers” or “tractors.” The final claim that sugar is “ready to use for different purposes” is not shown in the diagram. To develop the report more fully, describe the key transformations precisely, especially that heating turns the juice into syrup and the centrifuge separates crystals from syrup.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows the process in a clear chronological order, and the overview is separated from the stage-by-stage description. Sequencing phrases such as “Overall,” “initially,” “After that,” and “On the last stage” help the reader follow the stages. This gives the report a coherent overall arrangement. However, the body is presented as one long paragraph, and several transitions are repetitive or slightly mechanical, particularly the repeated use of “The next step.” The link between the centrifuge and the final drying and cooling stage could also be made more explicit. Use paragraphing to distinguish the overview from the details, and vary transitions while keeping the sequence clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “crushing,” “Limestone filter,” “syrup,” and “centrifuge,” so the reader can understand the main stages. However, the range is somewhat limited and some choices are imprecise or unnatural. “With help of the tractors” does not accurately name the mechanical harvesting method, while “ready to use for different purposes” adds a vague claim rather than describing the diagram. There are also spelling errors in “begining” and “separetes,” and repeated use of “juice” and “step” limits variety. Aim for precise process terms and natural collocations, such as “mechanically harvested” and “the juice is heated until it becomes syrup.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You communicate the sequence using a mixture of simple sentences and some longer structures, and most meanings remain understandable. However, several grammatical errors recur. The opening phrase “illustrates that how” uses an unnecessary “that”; “consists of seven steps, begining” needs a correctly formed participle or a full clause; and “starts by growing of the sugar canes” has an awkward grammatical construction. Articles and prepositions also need attention in phrases such as “on the flame” and “On the last stage.” Try using accurate passive forms consistently for process descriptions, for example, “The juice is heated” and “the crystals are separated,” and check each sentence for complete, correctly linked clauses.

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