Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-22

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 illustrates the production process for converting sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, the process consists of seven stages, beginning with the growing of sugar cane and ending with the production of sugar.

First of all, the process begins with growing sugar cane, which takes 12 to 18 months. After that, sugar cane is harvested, and there are two methods of harvesting: using a machine or manually. The harvested sugar cane is put into a crushing machine to extract the fresh juice. Then, the extracted juice is put into a filter machine to purify the juice with a limestone filter.

In the next stage, the filtered juice is put into a large container known as an evaporator, and then, fire is lit under it so that, the juice becomes syrup. Following this, a centrifuge is separates sugar crystals from the syrup. Then, they are put into a large cabin for drying and cooling. Finally, the juice is processed to make sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all stages of the process clearly and accurately. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the two harvesting methods and the key equipment involved. The overview is concise and provides a good summary of the seven-stage process. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the final product (sugar) as the culmination of the process more clearly in the conclusion, rather than just stating the juice is processed. Overall, the information is well-selected and logically presented, meeting the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the initial growth phase to the final cooling stage. You have used a variety of cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'After that', 'In the next stage', and 'Following this' to guide the reader through the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction/overview from the body of the process. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between the different stages is easy to follow, which is a hallmark of a well-structured response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a good range of vocabulary relevant to the topic, such as 'harvested', 'crushing machine', 'purify', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. These terms are used accurately in context. While the vocabulary is sufficient for the task, it remains somewhat functional. To improve, you could incorporate more precise verbs or descriptive phrases to describe the transformation of the material, such as 'extracting', 'refining', or 'crystallizing'. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and grammatically sound. However, there are a few minor errors, such as 'a centrifuge is separates' (should be 'a centrifuge separates') and 'so that, the juice' (unnecessary comma). Additionally, the phrase 'converting sugar from sugar cane' is slightly awkward; 'extracting sugar from sugar cane' would be more precise. Despite these minor slips, the grammar is generally controlled and does not hinder the reader's understanding of the process.

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

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