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 provided diagram illustrates how sugar is produced from sugar cane.

Overall, it can be seen that there are several stages involved in making sugar. Beginning from growing sugar cane plants and ending with drying and cooling sugar.

The first stage in manufacturing sugar starts from planting sugar canes. Secondly is by harvesting them, either by using agricultural tractors or farmers cutting them with machetes. Another stage involved is that the sugar cane plants are crushed by a machine which produces juice.

Moreover, the juice is filtered with a limestone filter which produces purified juice. After that, it is poured in an evaporator and it is heated on fire. Eventually, the juice turns to syrup. Furthermore, centrifuge from the laboratory is used to separate sugar crystals from syrup. Finally, the sugar is poured in a big pot and it is allowed to dry and cool. Afterwards, the cycle of sugar production continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all stages of the process, from harvesting to the final product. However, it lacks a clear overview of the main features, such as the cyclical nature of the process or the distinction between the mechanical and chemical stages. The description is largely a sequential list of steps rather than a summary of the process as a whole. To reach a higher band, you should synthesize the information more effectively by grouping related stages (e.g., preparation, purification, and crystallization) and highlighting the most significant aspects of the transformation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, and the progression of the process is easy to follow. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'The first stage', 'Moreover', 'After that', and 'Eventually'. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the connection between sentences could be smoother. The use of referencing is generally clear, though the paragraphing could be improved by grouping the stages more logically rather than just listing them sequentially. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with terms like 'manufacturing', 'purified', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge' used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is some repetition of basic verbs like 'poured' and 'produces'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise process-related verbs such as 'extract', 'refine', 'concentrate', or 'separate'. The word choice is generally accurate, and there are no spelling errors that impede communication, but the vocabulary lacks the sophistication required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally accurate, there are some minor errors, such as 'Secondly is by harvesting' (should be 'The second stage is harvesting') and 'centrifuge from the laboratory is used' (missing an article). The passive voice is used appropriately for a process description, which is a strength. However, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. Focusing on more varied sentence beginnings and ensuring consistent subject-verb agreement will help elevate your score.

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

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