Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-17
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 8.0)
The diagram illustrates the process of producing sugar from sugar cane. Overall, it is a linear process consisting of seven stages, beginning with the cultivation of sugar cane and ending with the production of sugar crystals.
Initially, sugar cane is grown in fields for a period of 12 to 18 months until it reaches maturity. Once the crop is ready, it is harvested either manually, with workers cutting the stalks by hand, or mechanically, using a harvesting machine.
After harvesting, the sugar cane is transported to a crusher, where the stalks are pressed to extract the juice. The extracted liquid is then passed through a limestone filter to remove impurities. Following the filtration stage, the purified juice is heated in an evaporator. During this process, water is removed, leaving behind a thick syrup.
Next, the syrup is placed in a centrifuge, which spins at high speed to separate the sugar crystals from the remaining liquid. In the final stage, the crystals are dried and cooled to produce the finished sugar, which is then ready for packaging and distribution.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response fully covers all parts of the task by accurately summarising the seven-stage manufacturing process of sugar from sugar cane. The overview clearly identifies that it is a linear process, and the body paragraphs effectively detail every step, from cultivation and harvesting methods (manual versus mechanical) to crushing, purification, evaporation, centrifugation, and final drying/cooling. All key features depicted in the visual data are reported accurately with no missing or invented steps.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The report exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is grouped logically by stages across well-structured paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Once', 'After harvesting', 'Following the filtration stage', and 'Next' are used fluently and appropriately to guide the reader through the linear process without feeling mechanical.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic process description, utilising terms like 'cultivation', 'maturity', 'manually', 'mechanically', 'impurities', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. Word choice and collocations are accurate, and spelling is flawless throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response features a wide variety of complex structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, incorporating well-controlled subordinate clauses and participial phrases, such as 'leaving behind a thick syrup' and 'which spins at high speed to separate the sugar crystals'. Punctuation is used correctly to support readability.
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