Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The diagram illustrates the process by which sugar is manufactured from sugar cane, beginning with the cultivation of the crop and ending with the production of the final sugar crystals.

Overall, it is a linear process consisting of seven main stages. It starts with sugar cane being grown for 12–18 months and harvested either mechanically or manually, before the cane is crushed and its juice is purified. The resulting liquid then undergoes evaporation and centrifugation, after which the sugar crystals are dried and cooled to produce the final product.

Initially, sugar cane is cultivated for a period of 12–18 months until it reaches maturity. It is then harvested either by a mechanical harvester or manually using a cutting tool. Following this, the harvested cane is crushed in a mill, producing juice. The juice is subsequently purified by passing it through a limestone filter.

The purified juice is then heated in an evaporator, where water is removed and a concentrated syrup is produced. Next, the syrup is placed in a centrifuge, which separates the sugar crystals from the remaining syrup. Finally, the extracted sugar crystals are dried and cooled in a large container, resulting in the finished sugar product.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively covers all stages of the sugar manufacturing process, from cultivation to the final product. You have successfully identified the main features and provided a clear overview in the introduction. The logical progression from harvesting to crushing, purification, evaporation, and centrifugation is well-maintained. The inclusion of specific details, such as the 12–18 month growth period and the two methods of harvesting, demonstrates a thorough understanding of the diagram. The response is well-balanced, and the summary of the process is accurate and complete, meeting all the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Following this', 'subsequently', 'Next', and 'Finally' creates a smooth flow between sentences and stages. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the initial stages from the later processing stages. The information is presented in a coherent manner, making it very easy for the reader to follow the sequence of events without any confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a process description, such as 'cultivated', 'maturity', 'purified', 'concentrated syrup', and 'centrifugation'. The terminology is precise and fits the context well. There are no spelling errors, and the word choices are natural and accurate. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'produced' or 'process' could elevate the response further, but the current range is already quite strong for this task type.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the response. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, including passive voice constructions (e.g., 'sugar cane is cultivated', 'juice is subsequently purified'), which are essential for describing a process. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The control over sentence structure is consistent, and the writing is clear and professional. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating a high level of grammatical competence.

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