Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The diagram displays the sequen􀆟al procedure for sugar produc􀆟on from sugarcane

involving various machinery.

It begins with the cul􀆟va􀆟on of the crop, mostly by vegeta􀆟ve propaga􀆟on using

fragments of sugarcane stems. It takes around 12 to 18 months for the sugarcane crop

to reach its mature stage, ready to be harvested. There are two ways in which the crop

can be harvested, the manual and the mechanical methods. Harves􀆟ng the crops

manually using an axe is very 􀆟me consuming, so mechanical method involving a tractor

or other motor vehicle is the preferred way.

A􀅌er the crop is harvested it is cleaned to remove any excess mud and then it is fed into

a mechanical crusher, which extracts sugarcane juice. Purifica􀆟on of the juice is done by

a large funnel with limestone filter that removes all the impuri􀆟es. The juice is then

thickened and converted into a syrup by a heat-driven evaporator. The sugar crystals are

separated from the syrup by centrifuga􀆟on using an apparatus called centrifuge. The

resul􀆟ng sugar crystals are then dried and cooled before being packaged for market

supply.

Overall, the diagram displays a mu􀆟-step procedure in a fairly understandable form,

star􀆟ng from the cul􀆟va􀆟on of the raw material, sugarcane, and ending with the

produc􀆟on of the finished product, sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all stages of the process clearly, from cultivation to packaging. You have successfully identified the main features and provided a logical summary. To reach a higher band, ensure you make more explicit comparisons where possible, such as contrasting the time-consuming manual harvesting with the efficiency of mechanical methods. The overview is present but could be more integrated into the structure to highlight the cyclical or linear nature of the process more effectively. Overall, the information is accurate and well-presented.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, moving chronologically through the stages of production. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the body of the process, and the summary. Cohesive devices such as 'After the crop is harvested' and 'The juice is then' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to connect the sentences more fluidly, as some transitions feel slightly mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a process description, such as 'vegetative propagation', 'mechanical crusher', 'purification', and 'centrifugation'. This demonstrates a sufficient range for the task. There are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or precise technical terms where appropriate to demonstrate a higher level of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate throughout. For instance, the use of passive voice ('is cleaned', 'is fed', 'are separated') is highly appropriate for a process description. There are very few grammatical errors, and punctuation is handled well. To aim for a higher band, ensure you vary your sentence beginnings and lengths even further to enhance the sophistication of your writing.

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

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