Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-23

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 procedure of extracting sugar from sugarcane. Overall, it is a linear process consisting of seven stages from the cultivation of sugarcane to the production of sugar crystals.

Sugarcane can take anywhere from 12 to 18 month to grow completely. Once the stalks reach maturity, they are harvested either manually by hand or with the help of harvesting machinery. Next, the stalks are crushed to extract juice from the pulp. This juice is then passed through a limestone filter to remove impurities.

Next, the purified juice is put on high heat inside an evaporator until all the water evaporates and it reaches a syrupy consistency. The syrup is then poured inside a centrifuge machine which spins rapidly at high speeds to separate sugar crystals from the syrup. Finally, the sugar crystals are dried, cooled and packaged to be sent off to warehouses.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process clearly, from cultivation to packaging. However, the task requirement of 150 words was not met, as the response is 145 words long. This under-length penalty prevents the response from achieving a higher band score. While the overview is present and the stages are logically described, the lack of sufficient length means the development of the process is slightly constrained. To improve, ensure you expand on the details of the stages—for example, by describing the inputs or outputs more precisely—to comfortably exceed the minimum word count.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction and a chronological progression through the manufacturing stages. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the cultivation/harvesting phase from the processing phase. Cohesive devices such as 'Next', 'This juice', and 'Finally' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the sequence. The flow is smooth and easy to follow. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate a wider variety of cohesive devices to link sentences more sophisticatedly, rather than relying primarily on sequential markers.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for a process description. Terms like 'maturity', 'impurities', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge' are used correctly in context. The range is adequate for the task, though it remains somewhat functional. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations or synonyms to demonstrate a wider lexical range. For instance, instead of 'put on high heat', you could use 'subjected to intense heat'. The current vocabulary is sufficient for the task but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The grammar is generally strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is a minor error in '12 to 18 month', which should be pluralized as 'months'. Aside from this, the control of tense and passive voice—essential for process descriptions—is consistent and accurate. The punctuation is correct throughout. To achieve a higher score, you could experiment with more complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or participle phrases to combine information more fluidly.

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

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