Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the process of producing sugar from sugar cane.

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

Initially, sugar cane is grown for 12 to 18 months and is then harvested either manually or by a machine. Next, the harvested cane is crushed to extract the juice, which is then purified using a limestone filter.

Following this, the purified juice is heated in an evaporator until it becomes syrup. The syrup is subsequently placed in a centrifuge, where the sugar crystals are separated from the remaining syrup. Finally, the sugar crystals are dried and cooled to produce the finished sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student has attempted to summarise the main stages of the sugar manufacturing process, identifying all seven key stages from growing to cooling. An appropriate overview is provided at the beginning. However, the response is only 117 words long, falling well short of the minimum 150-word requirement. This under-length significantly impacts the overall completeness and development of the task. While the content accurately reflects the provided diagram, the penalty for failing the word count restriction must be applied, keeping the score at band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The text is logically sequenced, following the chronological order of the manufacturing process from start to finish. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Next', 'Following this', 'subsequently', and 'Finally' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the stages. The response is divided into logical paragraphs, with a clear introductory/overview sentence followed by the body detail. Referencing is clear throughout. Although the text is brief, the structural organisation is clear and appropriate for a process diagram.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a process, such as 'cultivation', 'manually', 'extract', 'purified', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. There are also appropriate attempts at process-specific terminology ('sugar crystals', 'limestone filter'). Word choice is generally precise, and there are no spelling errors. While the vocabulary is not overly complex or varied enough for a higher band, it is entirely functional and communicates the information effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including passive voice constructions which are standard for describing processes (e.g., 'sugar cane is grown', 'is then harvested', 'is purified'). Grammar and punctuation are well controlled, and the sentences are grammatically accurate with no noticeable errors that impede communication. The control of grammar is solid, showing good command over simple and complex forms.

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

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