Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-31

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 6.5)

The diagram illustrates the 7 step process of producing sugar from sugar canes.

Overall, it is a linear process that begins with growing and harvesting the sugar canes, and then goes through several stages such as crushing, purification, evaporation, and separation. Lastly it is dried and cooled down.

The beginning step is planting the sugar canes and letting it grow for 12 to 18 months. After they fully grew, they are harvested by a driver operating a tractor or farmers manually cutting the plants with a sickle.

The harvested sticks are then crushed to extract the juice inside of them. The juice then goes through a limestone filter to purify impurities inside the it. The purified liquid is then heated up until it evaporates and becomes syrup. After which, the viscous syrup is spun around with high speed with a centrifuge to separate sugar crystals from the syrup. The separated crystals are then dried and cooled down in a single container.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all stages of the sugar production process, from cultivation to the final cooling phase. You have identified the main features and provided a clear, logical summary of the linear process. The overview is effective in highlighting the key stages. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the input (sugar cane) and the output (sugar) more clearly in the introduction, and perhaps provide a slightly more detailed comparison of the two harvesting methods mentioned in the diagram to demonstrate a deeper engagement with the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. The use of transition words such as 'Lastly', 'After they fully grew', and 'The purified liquid' helps guide the reader through the stages. However, the cohesion is sometimes slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'the it' in the second paragraph) is grammatically accurate to maintain a smoother flow between sentences.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including terms like 'purification', 'evaporation', 'viscous', and 'centrifuge'. These are appropriate for the task. There are some minor errors in word choice and phrasing, such as 'purify impurities inside the it', which is redundant and grammatically incorrect. To achieve a higher score, focus on using more precise collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing. Expanding your range of descriptive verbs would also enhance the quality of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While most of your sentences are clear, there are some grammatical slips, such as 'After they fully grew' (should be 'have grown') and the awkward phrasing 'purify impurities inside the it'. Punctuation is generally handled well. To improve, aim for more consistent control over verb tenses when describing a process—present simple is usually preferred for describing a factual, ongoing process—and ensure that pronouns are used correctly to avoid unnecessary repetition or confusion.

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

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