Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-02

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 illustrates the processes for manufacturing sugar from sugar cane. The processes will be sub divided into three stages which are pre production, production and post production.

The first stage will be divided into two different steps which are the growing and harvesting. The first step will be the growing of sugar cane between 12-18 months while the second step will be harvesting of the sugar cane with two different methods either manually or mechanically with the use of machines.

Consequently, the production stage begins and it has four steps which is crushing of the sugar cane to juice and the second step is purifying of the juice through a limestone filter. The third step is to boil the juice with heat to become syrup and the final step in this stage is to to separate sugar crystals from syrup by centrifuge. The post production has only one step which is the drying and cooling of the sugar

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the sugar manufacturing process, from growing to the final product. However, the report lacks a clear overview, which is essential for a Band 7 or higher in Task 1. While the steps are identified, the response reads more like a list of instructions than a summary of a process. To improve, you should provide a brief introductory summary of the overall process, noting the number of stages or the transformation involved. Additionally, the conclusion is abrupt and lacks a final summary statement. The information is accurate, but the lack of a cohesive overview limits the score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'The first stage', 'The second step', 'The third step'). There is a lack of variety in linking words, and the transition between the production stage and the final stage is abrupt. To improve, try using a wider range of cohesive devices such as 'subsequently', 'following this', or 'once the process is complete' to create a smoother flow between the different stages of the diagram.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with terms like 'centrifuge', 'purifying', and 'mechanically' being used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a tendency to repeat basic verbs like 'is' and 'divided'. The phrase 'sub divided' is also slightly awkward in this context. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'extracted', 'converted', 'subjected to', or 'refined'. The current vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are several grammatical errors that affect the flow. For instance, 'The processes will be sub divided' uses an unnecessary future tense; present tense is standard for describing processes. There are also minor punctuation and phrasing issues, such as 'to to separate' (repetition) and 'the drying and cooling of the sugar' (which lacks a full sentence structure). While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more careful proofreading and a better grasp of tense consistency when describing factual processes.

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

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