Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-26

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 presents how sugar is manufactured using sugar cane.

Overall, the process involves seven different stages, beginning from the cultivation of sugar canes and ending after the production of useable sugar. Moreover, different machines are also used in the process along with human labor.

In the first stage, sugar canes are grown in the fields which usually takes around 12-18 months. After that, sugar canes are harvested by the farmers, either manually or by using advanced machineries. Next, the sugar canes are crushed in a machine for extracting it's juice. Limestone filter is used in the next step for purifying the juice by passing it through the filter.

Once the juice is purified, it is heated in a container for evaporating, which turns the juice into syrup. Additionally, in order to separate the sugar crystals from the syrup, it is centrifuged. Finally, the sugar is obtained after drying and cooling the syrup.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all stages of the process, from cultivation to the final product. The overview is clear, identifying the seven stages and the involvement of both machinery and labor. However, the report lacks a clear comparison of the stages or a more detailed synthesis of the process flow. While the main features are identified, the description is somewhat linear and could benefit from grouping related steps (e.g., preparation, processing, and refining) to demonstrate a more analytical approach. The inclusion of specific details like the 12-18 month growth period is a positive feature that adds depth to the 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 'In the first stage', 'After that', 'Next', and 'Finally' are used effectively to guide the reader through the steps. Paragraphing is appropriate, separating the overview from the detailed process description. The progression of ideas is clear, though the transition between the purification and heating stages could be smoother to better link the chemical changes occurring in the process.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for a process description, using terms like 'cultivation', 'harvested', 'extracting', 'purifying', and 'centrifuged'. There is an attempt to use a range of vocabulary, though some phrasing is slightly repetitive. A minor error occurs with the possessive pronoun 'it's' (should be 'its'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, it lacks the more sophisticated, precise collocations that would elevate the response to a higher band, such as 'by-products' or 'industrial refinement'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is generally good control over grammar, though there are a few minor slips, such as the misuse of the apostrophe in 'it's' and the slightly awkward phrasing 'the process involves seven different stages, beginning from...'. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the errors present do not impede communication. To reach a higher band, the student should aim for more varied complex sentence structures and ensure absolute accuracy in basic punctuation and possessive forms.

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

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