Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-12

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 cyclic process shows how sugar is made out of sugarcane in seven sequential steps. It is a generalised process by which the sugar is manufactured regularly.

It takes 12 to 18 months to grow a proper sugar cane which is then harvested by either machinery or a worker who usually harvest it by hand, Generally, the harvestation by machine takes less time but harvesting by hand can help getting more clear canes, then it goes under a process by which the sugar canes are crushed and a liquid juice is extracted out of it.

It is then purified using a limestone filter which gives the purified juice, the juice is then heated in a large evaporator which results in the formation of a syrup. A centrifuge is used, which extracts sugar out of the syrup, Finally, the extracted sugar is dried and cooled inside a large container giving out perfectly shaped sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You give a clear account of the process from growing sugar cane through to drying and cooling, and include the key duration of 12–18 months and both harvesting methods. The sequence of crushing, purification, evaporation and centrifuging is also broadly accurate. The opening identifies seven steps, but calling the process “cyclic” is not supported: the diagram shows a linear sequence, with no return to an earlier stage. Some added claims are also not shown, such as machine harvesting taking less time, hand harvesting producing “more clear canes,” and the final sugar being “perfectly shaped.” For a stronger response, keep the overview focused on the linear progression and describe only features visible in the diagram, including that centrifuging separates crystals from syrup.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The stages are presented in a sensible order, and sequencing expressions such as “It is then,” “Finally,” and “which is then” help the reader follow the process. The response also moves from cultivation and harvesting to processing without major gaps. However, it is arranged as one long paragraph after the introduction, so the overview and process details are not clearly separated. Some links are mechanical or unclear: “then it goes under a process” has an imprecise reference, and the long second paragraph contains several stages joined mainly by commas. Use a distinct overview paragraph followed by logically grouped stages, and make each sentence’s subject explicit to improve progression and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “limestone filter,” “evaporator,” “syrup,” and “centrifuge,” which makes the main stages understandable. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “sequential steps” and “extracted.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this task: “harvestation” is not the appropriate noun, “proper sugar cane” is vague, and “clear canes” does not clearly express a process feature. “Sugar is made out of sugarcane” is less precise than describing sugar as being produced from cane. Aim for accurate process collocations and avoid unsupported descriptive claims; this would make the vocabulary more precise while retaining the adequate range already shown.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including relative clauses such as “which is then harvested” and “which results in the formation of a syrup.” The sequence remains understandable, but some grammatical and punctuation errors reduce control. In “a worker who usually harvest it,” the verb should agree with the singular subject; “harvesting by hand can help getting” also needs a different verb pattern. Several independent clauses are joined with commas, notably around “Finally,” and “Generally,” and the capitalisation after “hand,” is incorrect. There is also an awkward construction in “It takes 12 to 18 months to grow a proper sugar cane.” Review subject–verb agreement, verb patterns, and sentence boundaries, while continuing to use complex structures.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.