Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-25

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 following diagram represents a seven steps involved in the production of sugar.

Overall, seven stages are included in the manufacture of sugar. The process begins with a plantation of sugarcanes in the fields and ends at drying and cooling the sugar crystals.

Initially, a sugarcanes are grown in the farms and then is further harvested with the help of a harvester or a manual labor. Consequently, it is transported to a crusher where canes are pulverized and fluid is extracted alongside the pulp.

In the next step, such obtained liquid is purified with the help of a limestone filter and is boiled at a very high temperature and sugar syrup is extracted from it. Furthermore, the gained syrup is placed in a centrifuge where it is rotated for a long period in order to segregate the sugar crystals from it. Finally, such crystals are dried in the dryer and then cooled to create sugar as a final product.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all stages of the sugar manufacturing process, from the initial growth of sugar cane to the final cooling of crystals. The main features are identified and the sequence is logical. However, the overview is slightly repetitive, as the first two sentences essentially state the same information. To reach a higher band, the overview should highlight the nature of the process (e.g., it is a linear, multi-stage industrial process) rather than just counting the steps. The description is accurate, but it could be improved by explicitly mentioning the input and output at each stage to provide a more comprehensive summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Consequently', 'In the next step', and 'Finally' are used effectively to guide the reader through the stages. Paragraphing is appropriate, separating the introduction/overview from the detailed process description. The progression of ideas is clear, though some transitions could be more varied to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner that is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for a process description, using terms like 'pulverized', 'extracted', 'purified', and 'segregate'. However, there are some awkward phrasing choices, such as 'a sugarcanes' (incorrect article usage with a plural noun) and 'such obtained liquid' (unnatural collocation). While the range is adequate to describe the process, it lacks the sophistication required for higher bands. The student relies on basic descriptors and occasionally struggles with word choice, which prevents the response from demonstrating a wider, more flexible range of lexical items.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'represents a seven steps' (incorrect article and pluralization) and 'a sugarcanes are grown' (incorrect article). Additionally, the phrase 'is further harvested' lacks a clear subject in the second clause. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. The control of articles and subject-verb agreement needs more attention to ensure accuracy in future writing tasks.

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

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