Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-28

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 7.0)

The diagram illustrates the process involved in the production of sugar from sugar cane. Overall, the manufacturing of sugar mainly consists of 7 major steps, from growing sugar cane to extracting juice, which is eventually transformed into crystals.

Sugar cane growing can take up to 12–18 months. Once the crop has matured, it can be harvested by hand or with the help of machines. The next step involves crushing the sugar cane. The process includes putting raw sugar cane into a big crushing machine, which is responsible for extracting juice from the raw material.

For the purification of the highly concentrated extracted juice, a limestone filter is used to filter out any impurities. Once the juice is filtered out, it is then transferred to an evaporator. After that, the juice is exposed to an extreme temperature in the evaporator, which transforms the juice into syrup.

In the next step, there is a centrifuge process, which is responsible for separating sugar crystals from the syrup. The sugar crystals are put into storage for drying and cooling purposes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main stages of the sugar manufacturing process, from growing and harvesting through to crushing, purification, evaporation, centrifugation, and final drying and cooling. An appropriate overview is provided in the introduction, noting the 7 major steps. Key features and comparisons where relevant—such as the two alternative harvesting methods (by hand or with machines)—are correctly reported. The information is fully grounded in the provided diagram without extraneous details, fulfilling all requirements for Task Achievement at a high level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response is logically sequenced and easy to follow, tracing the linear progression of the manufacturing process from start to finish. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each major stage or group of related steps allocated to its own paragraph. Cohesive devices such as 'Once the crop has matured', 'The next step', and 'In the next step' are employed effectively to guide the reader through the stages. Progression is clear and logical throughout, maintaining a smooth and coherent flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to a process diagram, using terms such as 'manufacturing', 'concentrated extracted juice', 'impurities', and 'sugar crystals'. There are appropriate attempts at less common vocabulary items like 'evaporator', 'centrifuge', and 'limestone filter'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, with only minor repetitive phrasing (such as overusing 'juice' and 'step'), which prevents the score from reaching the highest bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The writing exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'which is responsible for extracting juice', 'Once the juice is filtered out'). Grammatical control is generally strong, and punctuation is handled well. The majority of sentences are error-free, with only occasional minor awkwardness that does not impede communication. Complex forms are integrated accurately.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.