Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-22

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows how fabric is manufactured from bamboo.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The diagram shows how bamboo fabric is made. There are nine steps in this process, starting from planting bamboo and ending with making clothes like T-shirts and socks.

First of all, bamboo plants are grow in spring. Then, in autumn, the bamboo is harvest by people. After that, the bamboo is cut into small strips by a machine.

In the next step, the strips are crush to make liquid pulp. Then, this pulp is filter to separate the long fibres from the liquid. After filtering, some water and amine oxide are add to soften the fibres.

Next, the soft fibres are spin to make yarn. After that, the yarn is weave to make fabric. In the final step, the fabric is used to make different clothes, such as T-shirts and socks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main stages of the process, but it fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words. Because the response is significantly under-length (131 words), it is penalized under Task Achievement. While the overview is clear and the sequence is logical, the lack of development and the failure to reach the minimum length prevent a higher score. To improve, you should provide more detail on the specific conditions or equipment mentioned in the diagram, such as the specific temperatures or chemical processes involved, to ensure the response is sufficiently developed and meets the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the initial planting stage to the final product. You have used simple cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'Then', 'After that', and 'In the next step' to guide the reader through the process. While the paragraphing is functional, the reliance on repetitive transition words makes the flow feel somewhat mechanical. To achieve a higher band, try to vary your linking phrases and use more sophisticated cohesive devices to connect the stages of the process more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the manufacturing process clearly. You have used relevant process-related verbs such as 'harvest', 'crush', 'filter', and 'weave'. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. There are no significant errors in word choice, but the vocabulary lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. To improve, incorporate more specific terminology related to industrial manufacturing and avoid repeating the same transition words.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are several recurring grammatical errors, particularly with verb forms in the passive voice. For example, you wrote 'bamboo plants are grow' instead of 'are grown', 'is harvest' instead of 'is harvested', and 'are add' instead of 'are added'. These errors indicate a lack of control over passive constructions, which are essential for describing processes. While your sentence structures are generally clear, the frequency of these basic errors in verb tense and participle usage limits your score. Focus on mastering the passive voice, as it is the primary structure needed for process descriptions.

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.