Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-24

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 flow chart represents how sugar is made from sugar cane, and the entire process is completed in seven stages.

Overall, the process starts with sugar cane, which takes 12 to 18 months to grow, and ends with sugar.

It is clear from the picture that sugar cane takes a minimum of a year to grow, and after the growth is completed, the harvesting process starts, which requires machines as well as human support. When this step is completed, all the sugar cane is forwarded into a machine where the juice is extracted through a crushing technique. When crushing is done, the next step is purifying the juice with the help of a limestone filter.

Once the juice is filtered, it is time to make syrup from it, and through an evaporator, this is possible by providing heat from below. After making the syrup, the sugar crystals are separated from it, and this is done using a centrifuge. The final stage is drying and cooling them, and the sugar is ready.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all stages of the process, from the growth of the sugar cane to the final cooling stage. The overview is clear, identifying the duration of growth and the total number of stages. However, the response could be improved by highlighting the key features more effectively; for instance, the distinction between the mechanical and manual aspects of harvesting is mentioned, but the transition between the chemical/physical processes (crushing, purifying, evaporating, centrifuging) could be more analytical. The description is accurate, but it reads more like a list of steps rather than a summary of the main features of the manufacturing process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and a sequential description of the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the growth/harvesting phase from the factory processing phase. Cohesive devices such as 'when this step is completed', 'once the juice is filtered', and 'the final stage' are used effectively to guide the reader through the process. The flow of information is smooth, and the progression from one stage to the next is easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a Band 7 score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using process-specific terms like 'extracted', 'purifying', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge' correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler phrasing such as 'it is time to make syrup' or 'the sugar is ready'. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe the transformation of materials, such as 'subsequently', 'undergoes', or 'converted into'. The current lexical range is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some minor grammatical awkwardnesses, such as 'the entire process is completed in seven stages' (which is slightly passive/wordy) and 'this is possible by providing heat' (which is a bit clunky). However, the grammar is generally accurate, and there are no errors that impede communication. The use of complex sentences is present but could be more varied to demonstrate higher control. Punctuation is generally correct throughout the text.

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

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