Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-29

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 stages involved in producing sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, it is a linear process consisting of seven stages, beginning with the cultivation of sugar canes and culminating with the production of sugar after the drying and cooling stage.

Initially, sugar canes are planted in the soil and take around 12 to 18 months to mature. Once matured, they are harvested either manually by the farmer or mechanically by a harvesting machine. After this, the sugar canes are passed through a crusher to form juice which is purified by passing it through a limestone filter.

The fifth step involves subjecting the juice to heat in the evaporator which results in the conversion of the juice to syrup. The syrup, then, goes into a centrifuge which separates the sugar crystals from the syrup. The crystals are then dried and cooled down in a steel container to produce sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the sugar production process. You have provided a clear overview and followed the linear progression of the diagram accurately. The inclusion of the initial cultivation stage is a good touch, as it provides context. However, to reach a higher band, you could improve the 'reporting' aspect by highlighting more specific comparisons or key features, such as the transition from solid to liquid and back to solid states. The description is accurate, but it remains somewhat descriptive rather than analytical. Overall, all parts of the task are addressed well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. You have used cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Once matured', 'After this', and 'The fifth step' effectively to guide the reader through the stages. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial growth phase from the industrial processing phase. The flow of information is smooth and easy to follow, demonstrating a good command of organizational structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a range of vocabulary appropriate for a process description, such as 'cultivation', 'mature', 'purified', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. These terms are used accurately in context. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise enough to convey the process clearly, it lacks a few more sophisticated or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate the response to a higher band. The language is natural and error-free, but could benefit from more varied synonyms to describe the mechanical actions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The grammar is highly accurate, with a variety of sentence structures, including passive voice constructions like 'sugar canes are planted' and 'is purified by passing it through', which are essential for process descriptions. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the punctuation is correct throughout. The control over complex sentence structures is consistent, and the writing is clear and professional. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which demonstrates a strong command of English grammar.

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

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