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 process chart illustrates the procedure for extracting sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, the process consists of several stages, beginning with the cultivation of sugar cane for a few month and culminating with the drying and cooling of sugar.

To begin with, the production of sugar cane starts with raising cane crops for 12-18 months. The next stage involves harvesting which can be done in two different ways, firstly, using help from large mechanical machines to harvest, secondly, doing manually reaping of canes with the help of labour. Moreover, the gathered canes are taken to a crushing machine, to extract juice from sugar canes.

Subsequently, in the fourth stage, the collected juice is filtered with the help of a limestone filter. Furthermore, the juice is heated in an evaporator, so that the juice can transform into syrup, after that the syrup is taken to a centrifuge, where the sugar is segregated from sugar crystals. Finally, in the seventh stage, the sugar crystals are kept for cooling and drying.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the sugar production process. You have covered the key steps from cultivation to the final cooling phase. However, the task requires a clear summary of the main features and comparisons where relevant. While you have described the steps sequentially, you could improve by highlighting the transition points more effectively or grouping the stages into logical phases (e.g., preparation, extraction, and refinement). The overview is present but could be more analytical by mentioning the total duration or the dual harvesting methods more explicitly as key features of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding step. You use cohesive devices such as 'To begin with,' 'The next stage,' 'Moreover,' and 'Subsequently' to guide the reader through the process. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the flow between the harvesting methods and the crushing stage could be smoother. Overall, the progression of information is clear and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a coherent response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'cultivation,' 'extracting,' 'segregated,' and 'evaporator' correctly. There are some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'doing manually reaping' (should be 'manual reaping') and 'raising cane crops' (which is slightly imprecise in this context). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for a higher band score. Expanding your range of process-related verbs and nouns would enhance your performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'for a few month' (should be 'months') and 'using help from large mechanical machines to harvest, secondly, doing manually reaping' (which is syntactically awkward). Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear throughout the text. To reach a higher band, you should aim for more error-free complex sentences and ensure consistent subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage. Punctuation is generally functional but could be improved to better separate distinct ideas.

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

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