Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-17

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 7.0)

Overall, sugar production involves seven main stages, beginning with the cultivation of sugar cane and ending with the drying and cooling of sugar crystals. The process includes growing, harvesting, crushing, heating, separating, evaporating, centrifuging, and finally drying the sugar.

First, sugar cane is grown for approximately 12 to 18 months until it reaches maturity. Once ready, it is harvested either manually by workers using knives or mechanically with harvesting machines. The harvested cane is then transported to a crushing machine, where the juice is extracted.

Next, the sugar cane juice is purified by passing it through a limestone filter. After filtration, the purified liquid is heated in an evaporator, which removes water and turns the juice into a thick syrup. This syrup is then transferred to a centrifuge, where it is spun at high speed to separate the sugar crystals from the remaining liquid.

In the final stage, the sugar crystals are dried and cooled, producing the finished sugar that is ready for packaging and distribution.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively covers all stages of the sugar production process. You have clearly identified the main features, starting from cultivation to the final drying stage. The overview is concise and provides a good summary of the process. However, to reach a higher band, you could improve the 'comparisons' aspect of the task. For instance, you mention harvesting can be done manually or mechanically, but you could have expanded on the implications of these different methods or highlighted the transition points between stages more analytically. Overall, the information is accurate and well-selected, providing a clear picture of the diagram for the reader.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the beginning to the end of the process. The use of transition signals such as 'First', 'Next', 'After filtration', and 'In the final stage' helps guide the reader smoothly through the steps. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the introduction/overview from the detailed process steps. The information flows well, and the relationship between the stages is clear. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices, and the structure supports the overall clarity of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a process description, such as 'cultivation', 'maturity', 'extracted', 'purified', and 'centrifuge'. The terminology is precise and relevant to the context of sugar manufacturing. There are no significant spelling errors, and the word choice is natural throughout. To improve further, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or varied verbs to describe the transformation of the substance, such as 'converted into' or 'subjected to', rather than relying on simpler verbs like 'turns' or 'passing'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, including passive voice constructions which are essential for process descriptions (e.g., 'sugar cane is grown', 'juice is extracted', 'is heated'). Punctuation is accurate, and there are no major grammatical errors that impede communication. The sentences are generally error-free, showing good control over tense and subject-verb agreement. To aim for a higher band, you could experiment with more complex sentence structures, such as using participle clauses to combine steps more fluidly.

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