Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-16

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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the process of producing sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, it is a linear process consisting of seven stages, beginning with the growing of sugar cane and ending with the drying and cooling of sugar crystals.

First, sugar cane is grown for a period of 12 to 18 months until it is mature. It is then harvested either by hand or using machinery. After harvesting, the sugar cane is crushed in a machine in order to extract the juice.

Next, the extracted juice is passed through a limestone filter to remove impurities. The purified juice is then heated in an evaporator until it becomes syrup. After this, the syrup is placed in a centrifuge, which separates the sugar crystals from the remaining liquid. Finally, the sugar crystals are dried and cooled to produce the finished sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all stages of the process, from growing to the final product. However, the task requirement of 150 words was not met, as the response is 138 words long. This under-length significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the description or provide more detailed comparisons. While the main features are identified, the lack of length prevents a more comprehensive overview, which is necessary for a higher band. To improve, you should expand on the details provided in the diagram, perhaps by elaborating on the nature of the machinery or the specific conditions of the stages.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, following the chronological order of the process. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the introduction and overview from the detailed steps. Cohesive devices such as 'First', 'Next', 'After this', and 'Finally' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the stages. The progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more varied cohesive links to avoid a slightly mechanical structure, but the current flow is sufficient for a clear and coherent report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using relevant technical terms such as 'impurities', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. The language is accurate and fits the context of a process description. However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and relies on fairly standard terminology. To improve, you should aim to incorporate a wider range of precise, less common vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'extraction', 'purification', or 'subsequent', to demonstrate a more sophisticated command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good control of grammatical structures, particularly the use of the passive voice, which is essential for describing a manufacturing process (e.g., 'sugar cane is grown', 'is passed through', 'is placed'). The sentences are generally error-free, and the punctuation is accurate. While the range of structures is somewhat restricted to simple and compound sentences, the accuracy is high. To achieve a higher band, you should attempt to integrate more complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or participle phrases to combine information more fluidly.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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