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 extract the 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 is then transferred to a centrifuge which by spinning in a high speed separates the sugar crystals from the syrup. The crystals are then dried and cooled down in a container to produce sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully covers all stages of the sugar production process, from cultivation to the final product. You have clearly identified the main features and followed the linear progression of the diagram. The overview is concise and accurately captures the essence of the process. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the 'main features' or 'key trends' in the overview, such as the transition from raw agricultural input to refined industrial output. The description is well-balanced, and you have effectively highlighted the sequence of events without omitting any critical steps.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a logical progression of steps. You have used cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Once matured', 'After this', and 'The fifth step' to guide the reader through the process. The paragraphing is appropriate, separating the agricultural phase from the industrial processing phase. To improve further, try to vary your cohesive devices slightly more to avoid a mechanical feel, and ensure that the transition between the harvesting and the crushing stage is as smooth as the transition between the evaporation and centrifugation stages.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a range of vocabulary appropriate for a process description, such as 'mature', 'harvested', 'purified', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. The terminology is accurate and relevant to the task. There is a good attempt at using precise verbs like 'subjecting' and 'culminating'. To achieve a higher score, incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common vocabulary to describe the physical changes, such as 'crystallization' or 'by-product'. Overall, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the process clearly and accurately without any significant errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writing demonstrates a good command of complex sentence structures, such as the use of passive voice ('are planted', 'are harvested', 'is purified'), which is essential for process descriptions. The grammar is generally accurate, with only minor slips, such as 'by spinning in a high speed' which should be 'at a high speed'. The punctuation is handled well, and the sentences are clear and easy to follow. To move into the higher bands, ensure consistent use of prepositions and continue to integrate a wider variety of complex structures to demonstrate full flexibility.

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

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