Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The diagram illustrates the process of producing sugar from sugar cane. Overall, it is a seven-stage process that begins with the cultivation of sugar cane and ends with the drying and cooling of the final sugar crystals.

First, sugar cane is grown for a period of 12 to 18 months until it reaches maturity. It is then harvested either mechanically, using a machine, or manually by workers. The harvested cane is subsequently crushed in a machine, producing sugar cane juice.

In the fourth stage, the juice is purified using a limestone filter. The purified liquid then passes into an evaporator, where it is heated and transformed into syrup. Next, the syrup is placed in a centrifuge, which separates the sugar crystals from the remaining syrup.

Finally, the separated sugar crystals undergo drying and cooling. Once this stage is complete, the finished sugar is produced.

Overall, the process involves a combination of agricultural, mechanical and heating stages, with the sugar cane gradually being transformed from a plant into sugar crystals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have successfully identified and described all the key stages of the sugar production process. The overview is clear, and the logical progression from cultivation to the final product is well-maintained. You have covered the main features, such as the harvesting methods and the specific machinery involved (crusher, centrifuge). To reach a higher band, ensure you explicitly highlight the most significant comparisons or contrasts, such as the two different methods of harvesting (mechanical vs. manual), which you mentioned but could have integrated more fluidly into the overall summary of the process flow.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process, and a concluding summary. The use of cohesive devices such as 'First', 'subsequently', 'In the fourth stage', and 'Next' is effective and helps the reader follow the sequence of events without difficulty. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different phases of production. The flow of information is smooth, and there is a clear progression throughout the text, which makes the report easy to read and understand.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a process description, such as 'cultivation', 'maturity', 'purified', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. The word choice is generally precise and fits the context well. There are no significant spelling errors, and the terminology used is accurate for the subject matter. To improve further, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or varied verbs to describe the transformation of the substance, such as 'extracted', 'condensed', or 'crystallized', rather than relying on more common verbs like 'produced' or 'made'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

Your grammar is accurate, and you have used a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The passive voice is used appropriately for a process description (e.g., 'sugar cane is grown', 'juice is purified'), which is essential for this type of task. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. There are no major grammatical errors that impede communication. To aim for a higher band, you could experiment with more complex sentence structures, such as using participle clauses to combine steps (e.g., 'After being harvested, the cane is crushed...'), which would add further variety to your writing.

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