Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The diagram illustrates the process by which sugar is made from sugar cane.

Overall, there are seven main stages in the process, starting with the growth of sugar cane and finishing with the drying and cooling the sugar.

The process begins when sugar canes reach a growth of 12 - 18 months. Following this, it gets harvested either by a person or a machine. After being harvested, sugar cane gets sent to be crushed by a machine, which turns it into juice. Next, the juice is moved to be purified by a limestone filter.

Once the filtration process has taken place, the juice is then transported to an evaporator to become a syrup by using high temperatures. Subsequently, after turning into syrup, it is moved to a centrifuge where the sugar crystals are separated from the syrup. Finally, the sugar gets dried and cooled in a container, which marks the end.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing a clear summary of the seven-stage manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane. The overview accurately identifies the total number of steps, starting with growth and finishing with drying and cooling. Key features and transitions between stages, such as harvesting methods, crushing, purification with a limestone filter, evaporation, centrifugation, and final cooling, are correctly reported in sequential order without major omissions. The information is fully grounded in the provided diagram, meeting the requirements for this criterion at a Band 7.5 level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression from the beginning to the end of the manufacturing process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and body details. Cohesive devices are employed effectively to guide the reader through the stages, using sequencing words and phrases such as 'Overall', 'The process begins', 'Following this', 'After being harvested', 'Once the filtration process has taken place', 'Subsequently', and 'Finally'. Referencing is clear throughout, contributing to the overall logical flow and earning a solid Band 7.0 for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully utilizing process-specific terms such as 'manufacturing process', 'harvested', 'crushed', 'purified', 'limestone filter', 'evaporator', 'syrup', 'centrifuge', and 'sugar crystals'. While much of the vocabulary is standard for process descriptions and lacks more sophisticated uncommon lexical items, word choices are precise and communication is smooth. There are no notable spelling or word-choice errors, placing this performance comfortably at Band 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The student displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including passive voice constructions which are appropriate for a process description (e.g., 'the juice is moved to be purified', 'sugar crystals are separated'). Grammatical control is generally high, with frequent error-free sentences. There is a minor grammatical slip in the second paragraph where the infinitive phrase 'finishing with the drying and cooling the sugar' contains an unnecessary definite article ('the sugar'), but this does not impede communication. Overall control warrants a Band 7.0.

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