Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-21

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 diagram illustrates the process of extracting sugar from sugar canes.

Overall, the manufacturing process consists of seven steps. It begins by growing sugar canes and ends with processed sugar which is dried and cooled.

The procedure starts by growing sugar canes for about twelve to eighteen months. After growing them, these sugar canes are harvested. It is either done with the help of an appropriate machine or by hand. Then, the sugar canes are crushed to extract the juice out of them. These extracted juices are later purified by using a limestone filter.

After the purification process, in the fifth step, the filtered sugar cane juices are heated with the help of an evaporator. This helps turning the filtered sugar juices into a syrup. Lather, by using a centrifuge, sugar crystals are separated from the produced syrup. By the last step, the extracted sugar crystals from the syrup are stored in a container where they are dried and cooled. The end result gives manufactured sugar from the sugar canes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the sugar production process. You have clearly outlined the sequence from cultivation to the final product. However, to reach a higher band, you should focus more on the 'comparison' aspect of the task. For instance, you could have highlighted the contrast between the two methods of harvesting (machine vs. hand) or noted the transition from solid to liquid and back to solid states. While the overview is present, it is somewhat basic. Expanding on the technical nature of the process, such as the specific role of the centrifuge or the temperature-related changes, would provide a more comprehensive summary of the provided diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a body paragraph detailing the steps, and a concluding summary. The progression of ideas is easy to follow, and you have used cohesive devices such as 'After', 'Then', and 'By the last step' to guide the reader through the process. However, the use of these devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and integrate them more naturally into the sentences. Paragraphing is used appropriately, but the transition between the harvesting stage and the processing stage could be smoother to enhance the overall flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'extracting', 'purified', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. These terms are accurate and relevant to the topic. There are no significant spelling errors, and the vocabulary is generally precise. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items. For example, instead of 'turning the filtered sugar juices into a syrup', you could use 'concentrating the juice into a syrup'. The current vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the flexibility and precision required for the highest bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and grammatically accurate, which ensures that the information is conveyed without difficulty. There are minor issues, such as 'This helps turning' (should be 'This helps to turn' or 'This helps turn') and 'Lather' (a spelling error for 'Later'). While you have attempted some complex structures, the range is somewhat limited. To improve, try to incorporate a wider variety of passive voice constructions, which are particularly suitable for describing industrial processes, and ensure that your verb patterns are consistently correct.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.