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 given illustration depicts the method for the production of sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, there are approximately 7 major steps involved in conversion of sugar cane to sugar.

The first step is growing the crop of sugar canes. It takes around 12-18 months to fully ripe. Then, the sugarcane field is ready for harvesting. The sugarcanes are cut down either by hands or by harvesting machines. In the next step, sugarcanes are crushed and the juice is extracted out of them. The step of purifying the juice comes next. The juice is filtered using limestone filter. The waste and the juice are separated and the juice is ready to undergo the next step i.e: Evaporation. The purified juice is transferred into the containers and then the heat is given. The water evaporates from the juice and the syrup is left behind. Further, the syrup goes to centrifuge machine. The machine rotates so quickly that sugar crystals are separated from the syrup. In the last step, the separated crystals are dryed and cooled and the sugar is ready for the consumption.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all stages of the sugar production process, from the initial growth of the cane to the final consumption stage. You have successfully identified the main features and provided a clear overview. However, the report is somewhat descriptive and lacks a more analytical approach. To reach a higher band, ensure that you group the stages more effectively rather than listing them sequentially. While the overview is present, it could be more detailed by highlighting the transformation from raw material to refined product more explicitly. Overall, the task is addressed well, and the information is accurate based on the provided diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, moving through the process in a chronological manner. Paragraphing is used, though the body paragraph is quite long and could have been split to improve readability. You use some cohesive devices like 'In the next step' and 'Further', but the flow is occasionally mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, but the transition between the evaporation and centrifugation stages could be smoother. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that each paragraph has a distinct thematic focus, such as 'Preparation' and 'Refinement'.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'extracted', 'purifying', 'evaporation', and 'centrifuge'. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'fully ripe' (should be 'fully ripened' or 'mature') and 'dryed' (spelling error: 'dried'). The vocabulary is functional and allows for clear communication, but it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. To improve, incorporate more precise collocations related to industrial processes, such as 'by-products' or 'crystallization process', to show a wider and more flexible range of lexical items.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical slips, such as 'the heat is given' (passive voice usage is slightly unnatural; 'the syrup is heated' would be better) and 'by hands' (should be 'by hand'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, though the use of 'i.e:' is slightly informal for an academic report. You have good control over basic structures, but to achieve a higher score, you should aim for more complex sentence forms and ensure that passive constructions are used with greater accuracy and naturalness.

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

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