Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-03

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 image below demonstrates the process of formulating sugar from a sugar cane.

Overall, the process include seven crucial steps which are used for making sugar. This procedure is very time-consuming as it requires a lot of time for whole operation to be completed.

Initially sseeds get planted of sugar cane and then after sometime when seeds become 12-18 months old then second step starts and is called Harvesting, in this step tractors are been used for cutting sugar canes, it can also be done manually. The third step is Crushing which involves a specific device which helps in extracting juice from sugar canes.

The fourth step uses a limestone filter which helps in purifying the juice and after this step Evaporation starts in which the juice gets transformed into a syrup. The sixth step helps in centrifuging the syrup by separating sugar crystals from syrup. Final step involves drying and cooling of the syrup which results in sugar as the final product.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as having seven stages and cover the main sequence from harvesting through to the final sugar product. Useful details include the two harvesting methods, crushing to extract juice, limestone filtration, evaporation and centrifuging. However, the opening stage is inaccurately described: the diagram shows sugar cane growing for 12–18 months, not seeds being planted and then becoming that age. The overview also calls the process time-consuming without explaining the sequence’s main transformation from cane to juice, syrup and sugar. Some stage descriptions are imprecise, particularly saying the syrup is dried and cooled; the diagram shows sugar crystals being separated before drying and cooling. More accurate coverage of these features would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is arranged in a generally logical order, with an overview followed by the early and later stages of production. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “The third step,” “after this step” and “Final step” help the reader follow the process. The paragraphing also separates the overview from the detailed account. However, the progression is somewhat mechanical because the stages are repeatedly introduced by number rather than linked more naturally. The long opening description combines planting, the growing period and harvesting, which makes the sequence less clear. Use clearer links to show how each material changes—for example, cane is crushed to produce juice, which is then purified and concentrated into syrup.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “harvesting,” “crushing,” “limestone filter,” “purifying,” “centrifuging” and “sugar crystals,” which allows the reader to understand most stages. There is also some variation in how you describe the process, such as “extracting juice” and “transformed into a syrup.” However, several choices are awkward or inaccurate: “formulating sugar” is not a natural description of production, “specific device” is vague, and “sugar cane” is used where the plural “sugar canes” or the material “cane” is needed. “Seeds get planted of sugar cane” is also unclear. Aim for precise process collocations and avoid vague wording so that the technical stages are described more naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “which” and “as,” and most of the process remains understandable. However, some sentence structures and verb forms are inaccurate. For example, “the process include seven crucial steps” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “tractors are been used” uses an incorrect passive form. The opening sentence about seeds and their age is difficult to follow because its clauses are not clearly structured. There are also article and number issues in phrases such as “a sugar cane” and “the final step.” To improve, use controlled passive constructions such as “the cane is harvested” and check agreement, articles and clause boundaries when combining stages.

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