Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-03

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 production process for making sugar from sugarcane.

Overall, the whole cycle consists of seven stages. The process begins with the cultivation of sugarcane and ends at the production of sugar crystals.

In the initial stage, farmers cultivate the crop of sugarcane and wait for twelve to eighteen months to grow it up. Next, farmers harvest sugarcane through labor or by using advanced agricultural machinery. Additionally, sugarcane then passes through a crushing machine to extract juice from them. The juice of sugarcane subsequently moves through a limestone filter for purification.

In the subsequent stage, purified juice of sugarcane then passes through an evaporator to turn the juice into syrup by the use of a heating process through flames from below. Moreover, syrup of sugarcane is then transferred to a centrifuge setup to separate the sugar crystals from the syrup. At the end, sugar is stored in a big storage tank for drying and cooling.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all stages of the process, from cultivation to storage. The overview is clear, identifying the seven-stage cycle. However, the report lacks a comparative element. For instance, the prompt asks to make comparisons where relevant, but the response simply lists the steps sequentially without highlighting key features or contrasting the mechanical versus manual aspects of harvesting. To reach a higher band, you should synthesize information more effectively rather than just describing each step in isolation. The summary is accurate, but it lacks the analytical depth required for a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Next', 'Additionally', 'subsequently', and 'In the subsequent stage' helps guide the reader through the process. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial stages from the later processing stages. The flow of information is generally smooth, though the connection between the harvesting and crushing stages could be improved to avoid a list-like feel. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with terms like 'cultivation', 'purification', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge' used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is noticeable repetition of the word 'sugarcane' and 'juice'. Phrases like 'grow it up' are slightly unnatural and informal. To improve, you should aim for more varied synonyms and precise collocations. For example, instead of 'turn the juice into syrup', you could use 'concentrate the juice into syrup'. The current range is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, but it lacks the sophistication needed for a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'extract juice from them' (where 'them' has no clear plural antecedent) and 'by the use of a heating process through flames from below', which is wordy and slightly awkward. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the errors present do not impede communication. To achieve a higher score, you should incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions (e.g., 'The juice is then passed through...') to maintain a more formal, objective tone suitable for a process description.

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

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