Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

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 mature. Next, sugarcane is harvested by farmers through labor or by using advanced agricultural machinery. Additionally, sugarcane then passes through a crushing machine to extract juice from it. The juice of sugarcane subsequently moves through a limestone filter for purification.

In the subsequent stage, the purified juice is then passed into an evaporator, where it is heated from beneath and condensed into syrup. 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 6.5

The response covers all stages of the process clearly and accurately. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the cultivation, harvesting, crushing, filtering, evaporation, and centrifugation stages. The overview is concise and provides a clear summary of the process cycle. To reach a higher band, ensure you make more explicit comparisons or highlight the transformation of the product more dynamically. For instance, you could emphasize the change in state from raw sugarcane to refined sugar crystals more effectively. Overall, the response is well-structured and addresses the prompt requirements fully.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a logical progression of steps. You use cohesive devices such as 'In the initial stage', 'Next', 'Additionally', and 'In the subsequent stage' to guide the reader through the process. The paragraphing is appropriate, separating the cultivation/extraction phase from the purification/refining phase. The flow is smooth and easy to follow. To improve, try to vary your linking words further to avoid a slightly mechanical feel, as some transitions are quite standard.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary relevant to the topic, such as 'cultivation', 'mature', 'agricultural machinery', 'purification', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. The word choice is generally accurate and appropriate for a process description. There are no significant spelling errors. To achieve a higher score, incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common technical terms to describe the process, such as 'by-product' or 'crystallization'. Your current vocabulary is sufficient for the task but lacks the level of precision and variety required for the highest bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The process begins with... and ends at...' and 'the purified juice is then passed into an evaporator, where it is heated...'. Grammar is generally accurate, with few errors. However, there is a slight overuse of passive voice constructions that could be varied for better flow. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. To improve, aim for a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as using participle clauses (e.g., 'Having been purified, the juice is then passed...') to enhance the sophistication of your writing.

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