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 production of sugar, starting with the growth of sugar cane and ending with the drying and cooling of the final product.

Initially, sugar cane is grown for 12–18 months. Once the sugar cane has matured, it is harvested either manually or by machine. After harvesting, the sugar cane is crushed and the juice is extracted. The juice is then purified using a limestone filter to remove unwanted particles. Next, the purified juice is heated in an evaporator until it becomes syrup. The syrup is then passed through a centrifuge, where the sugar crystals are separated from the syrup. Finally, the sugar crystals are dried and cooled to produce the final sugar product.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student successfully identifies the main purpose of the diagram, which outlines the seven-stage process of converting sugar cane into refined sugar. A clear overview is provided, and key stages—such as growing, harvesting, crushing, purifying, evaporating, centrifuging, and cooling—are accurately reported without missing major steps or introducing extraneous information. However, there is a penalty applied because the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement, containing only 131 words. Consequently, while the content is accurate and well-selected, the task cannot be fully developed due to length constraints.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression from the initial stage of growth to the final product. The text is divided into appropriate paragraphs, separating the introduction, the overview, and the detailed body description. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the steps of the process, such as 'Initially', 'Once', 'After harvesting', 'then', 'Next', and 'Finally'. The referencing and flow between sentences are smooth and natural, demonstrating competent control over discourse markers.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary relevant to the process diagram, including appropriate technical terms such as 'harvested manually', 'crushed', 'juice is extracted', 'limestone filter', 'evaporator', 'centrifuge', and 'sugar crystals'. Word choices are generally precise and natural (e.g., 'matured', 'unwanted particles'). There are no noticeable spelling or word-formation errors, though the vocabulary remains standard rather than demonstrating a wider or more sophisticated range of less common lexical items.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a good control of grammar and punctuation. A mix of simple and complex sentence structures is used effectively, such as participle clauses ('Once the sugar cane has matured') and passive constructions ('is grown', 'is harvested', 'is purified', 'are separated'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammatical accuracy is high throughout the short text, with no errors that impede understanding.

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

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