Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-29

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 of producing sugar from sugar cane.

Overall, there are seven main stages in the process, beginning with the growing of sugar cane and ending with the drying and cooling of the sugar crystals.

Initially, sugar cane is grown for approximately 12 to 18 months. Once it has fully grown, it is harvested either by a machine or manually. The harvested sugar cane is then crushed in a machine to extract the juice. Next, the juice is purified by passing it through a limestone filter.

Following purification, the juice is heated in an evaporator, where it becomes syrup. The syrup is then placed in a centrifuge, which separates the sugar crystals from the remaining syrup. Finally, the sugar crystals are dried and cooled, producing the finished sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student successfully identifies the main purpose of the diagram, which outlines the seven-stage manufacturing process of sugar from sugar cane. An overview is clearly presented in the second paragraph, summarizing the start and end points of the process. The student reports all the primary steps in logical sequence—from growing and harvesting to crushing, purifying, evaporating, centrifuging, and finally drying and cooling. However, a significant drawback is the word count; the response contains only 131 words, falling short of the mandatory 150-word minimum requirement. Because of this under-length penalty, Task Achievement cannot exceed Band 5.0, despite the accurate and comprehensive description of the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. The information is divided into sensible paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing the sequential steps of the process. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally to guide the reader through the stages, with transition markers such as 'Initially', 'Once it has fully grown', 'Then', 'Next', 'Following purification', and 'Finally'. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and referencing throughout the text remains clear. Although the length is constrained, the structural flow and management of cohesion easily meet the criteria for a higher band.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 process description. Accurate domain-specific terms from the diagram are incorporated well, including 'manufacturing process', 'sugar crystals', 'limestone filter', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. Less common lexical items and collocations are attempted with good awareness of style, such as 'extracted', 'purified', and 'manually'. There are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors, and communication is completely unimpeded. The lexical control is strong and precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response displays a good variety of sentence structures, mixing simple and complex forms successfully. The student demonstrates good control over grammatical structures and punctuation, employing passive voice constructions appropriately for a process description, such as 'sugar cane is grown', 'it is harvested', and 'the juice is purified'. Complex dependent clauses—for example, 'Once it has fully grown, it is harvested either by a machine or manually'—are handled accurately. The vast majority of sentences are completely error-free, reflecting a high level of grammatical accuracy.

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