Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-04

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 given flow chart illustrates  information about the the manufacturing of the bamboo fiber. There are 7 steps in which bamboo fiber is made.

Overall, the bamboo plant is grown in the spring season, harvested in autumn, cut into strips followed by softened fibers then moved into a filter, crushed strips, spun and woven into shirts

The first step is planting the bamboo plant in the spring season then it becomes a plant. After that it is to second step, this plant is harvested in the autumn season. In the third step, the plant is cut into the strips by grinder followed by crushing strips to make liquid pulp.

In the fifth step, liquid pulp is moved into the filter. The filter's function is to filter the long fibers from liquid. In the sixth step, mix some water and a chemical which is known as amine oxide to fibers and create the softened fibers. These fibers are used to make the yarn which is thread-like. In the second last step, there is a phenomenon in which weaving occurs . In the final stage, from fiber we will make various clothes such as shirts and socks.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.5
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but there are significant inaccuracies in the description of the steps. For instance, the student mentions 'crushing strips' before the 'filter' stage, whereas the diagram shows the crushing happens after the filter. Furthermore, the sequence is confused; the student describes seven steps but then lists them inconsistently, mentioning a 'fifth step' and 'second last step' without clear logical progression. The overview is present but lacks a clear summary of the transformation from raw material to finished product. To improve, ensure that the sequence of events is accurately reflected and that the overview highlights the key stages of the manufacturing process more effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hampered by inaccurate sequencing. While some cohesive devices are used, such as 'The first step', 'After that', and 'In the fifth step', they are used mechanically and sometimes incorrectly, as the steps described do not align with the provided diagram. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as 'this plant is harvested', which lacks a clear antecedent. The progression of ideas is disjointed, making it difficult for the reader to follow the manufacturing process clearly. Improving the use of transition signals and ensuring they accurately reflect the chronological order of the process would enhance the coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'manufacturing', 'harvested', 'liquid pulp', and 'amine oxide' used correctly. However, there is some repetition and limited range. Phrases like 'the bamboo plant is grown... then it becomes a plant' are redundant. There are also minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'second last step' instead of 'penultimate stage' or 'final stage'. To reach a higher band, the student should aim for more precise and varied vocabulary to describe industrial processes, such as 'extraction', 'transformation', or 'subsequent', rather than relying on basic sequencing language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'illustrates information about the the manufacturing' (repetition of 'the'), 'it is to second step' (missing article and preposition error), and 'mix some water and a chemical... to fibers' (incorrect verb form). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the sentence structure is often repetitive. To improve, the student should focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles, as well as attempting more varied complex sentence structures to demonstrate greater grammatical control.

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

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