Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-01

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 illustration depicts how sugar is manufactured from sugar cane.

Overall, it can be seen that the manufacturing method for producing sugar from sugar cane is a multistep linear process which consists of seven different stages as well as a number of different tools and infrastructure, which starts with growing sugar cane and ends with drying and cooling sugar.

In the first stage, sugar canes are grown for a period of time( ranging from 12 to 18 months). Then, sugar canes are harvested both manually by human labor and mechanically by a large machine. Next, the harvested sugar canes are crushed by a crushing machine where juice is made from sugar canes simultaneously. Following by this, juice is purified in a limestone filter.

In the subsequent stage, purified juice is processed to syrup by giving heat in an evaporator. In stage six, syrup is centrifuged by a process in which sugar crystals are separated from syrup. In the last and final stage, centrifuged sugar is dried as well as cooled in a vast container.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing a clear summary of the seven-stage manufacturing process for producing sugar from sugar cane. The overview effectively captures the main features, noting that it is a multistep linear process spanning from cultivation to cooling. The progression of stages is accurately reported, incorporating key details such as the dual harvesting methods, crushing, juice purification using a limestone filter, evaporation into syrup, centrifugation, and final drying and cooling. To reach a higher band, the response could provide slightly more extended commentary on the specific inputs or mechanisms at certain stages, such as the heat application or the separation mechanism in the centrifuge, rather than merely listing the sequential steps.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The text maintains a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression throughout. The response is appropriately paragraphed, separating the introduction, overview, and body steps logically. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In the first stage', 'Then', 'Next', and 'In the subsequent stage' are utilized to guide the reader through the linear diagram. However, some cohesion feels slightly mechanical, particularly with phrases like 'Following by this', which detracts from the fluidity expected at a higher level. Referencing is generally clear, but smoothing out transitional phrases would enhance the overall flow and elevate the organizational quality.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying the sequence and actions depicted in the diagram with items such as 'multistep linear process', 'manually', 'mechanically', and 'purified'. There are successful attempts to use less common vocabulary, though occasional awkward word choices or collocations occur, such as 'giving heat' instead of 'heating' or 'applied heat'. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication. To achieve a higher level, the writer should incorporate a wider range of precise, sophisticated lexical items and collocations suited to technical or process descriptions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and passive constructions appropriately, as seen in 'syrup is centrifuged by a process in which sugar crystals are separated from syrup'. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as the prepositional error in 'Following by this' (instead of 'Following this' or 'Followed by this') and minor punctuation slips around parentheses. Nevertheless, these errors are relatively infrequent and rarely impede communication, allowing the majority of complex structures to remain clear and understandable. Good control over verb forms for passive voice processes is evident throughout the response.

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