Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-30

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 process diagram illustrates the stages of manufacturing of sugar from the sugar cane.

Overall, it is seven stages linear process starts with growing of sugar cane and ends with the production of sugar.

The process start with the growing of sugar cane which takes 12 to 18 months. Once sugar cane is matured then canes are harvested in second stage. This can be done even manually or by using agricultural harvesting machines.

In the third stage, the harvested sugar canes are crushed in a large mill to extract the juice. This juice is then goes through the fourth stage, purification, where it is filtered through the limestone filter. Next, in the fifth stage the purified juice is heated in an evaporator where is it concentrated into syrup. The sixth stage uses a centrifuge to separate the crystals from the syrup. Finally, the final stage the sugar is dried and cooled in a large container to produce final product ready for the consumption.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main stages of the sugar manufacturing process from sugar cane. An overview is provided, noting that it is a seven-stage linear process starting with growing and ending with sugar production. Key features such as the 12 to 18 months growing period, manual and mechanical harvesting, crushing, purification with a limestone filter, evaporation, centrifugation, and final drying and cooling are accurately reported. The information is fully grounded in the provided visual data with no significant omissions or misinterpretations, fulfilling the requirements for Task Achievement at a high band level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The writing is structured chronologically, matching the steps in the diagram. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the process, such as 'Once sugar cane is matured', 'In the third stage', 'This juice is then goes', and 'Next'. Paragraphing is handled appropriately, with an introductory sentence containing an overview followed by a body paragraph detailing the sequential steps. Referencing is generally clear, though minor improvements could make the transitions even more fluid.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student displays an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary suitable for a process diagram. Appropriate less common lexical items are attempted, including 'manufacturing', 'matured', 'manually', 'agricultural harvesting machines', 'extract', 'purification', 'concentrated into syrup', and 'centrifuge'. However, there are some minor word choice and collocation slips, such as 'This juice is then goes' (unnecessary 'is') and 'to produce final product ready for the consumption' (unnecessary article 'the'). Overall, the vocabulary is precise enough to convey the processes clearly without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

A mix of simple and complex sentence structures is used throughout the response. The student successfully incorporates passive voice constructions appropriate for scientific and technical processes, such as 'canes are harvested', 'are crushed', and 'is filtered'. However, there are noticeable grammatical errors that persist, including 'it is seven stages linear process' (missing article and incorrect adjective form), 'The process start' (subject-verb agreement error), 'Once sugar cane is matured' (passive voice misuse), and 'where is it concentrated' (word order error). Despite these flaws, the meaning remains clear and communication is not impeded.

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