Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-06

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 illustrated diagram depicts the process of manufacturing sugar from sugarcane, showing all seven stages from cultivation to the final product. As shown by the diagram the process begins by the growth and harvesting of sugarcane followed by extraction, purification and crystallization of sugar.

Initially, sugarcane is grown for 12-18 months before being harvested either manually or by a machine called a harvester. The harvested sugarcane is then crushed to extract it’s juice. This extracted juice undergoes a purification process by passing through a limestone filter. Which removes impurities . Moving on the purified juice is passed to an evaporator where it is heated and leftover water is removed, thus transforming the liquid into a concentrated syrup. This syrup is then passed to a centrifuge where it separates the sugar crystals from the syrup. Finally, the sugar crystals undergo drying and cooling after which refined sugar is manufactured and is ready for distribution.

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 growth period, the extraction method, and the final refining steps. The overview is concise and effectively sets the stage for the detailed description. To reach a higher band, ensure you make more explicit comparisons between the stages or highlight the transformation of the raw material more dynamically. Overall, the information is well-selected and logically presented, fulfilling the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear progression from the initial growth stage to the final product. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction from the process description. You use cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Moving on', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through the steps. However, some sentences are slightly fragmented, such as 'Which removes impurities', which should be joined to the previous sentence to improve flow. Improving the variety of linking phrases would further enhance the cohesion of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, using terms like 'purification', 'crystallization', 'concentrated', and 'centrifuge' correctly. There are a few minor errors, such as the misuse of the possessive 'it’s' (it is) instead of the possessive pronoun 'its'. While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, incorporating more precise collocations or less common technical descriptors would elevate the lexical score. The current range is functional and allows for clear communication of the technical steps involved in sugar production.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally accurate, there are some punctuation and structural issues. For example, the sentence 'Which removes impurities' is a sentence fragment and should be connected to the preceding clause. Additionally, there is a minor error in 'it’s juice' (should be 'its'). Despite these slips, the meaning is never obscured, and the majority of your sentences are clear and grammatically sound. To improve, focus on ensuring that relative clauses are correctly attached to their main clauses.

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

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