Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-06

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 illustrates the process of how the bamboo fabrics are harvested by farmers and then made into final product to be used by consumers.

First of all, the bamboo plants are grown in spring and then harvested by the farmers in autumn. After that, the plants are cut into the small strips through the strips cutting instruments. Once this being finished, strips are crushed to make liquid pulps, and then filtered it to get long fibres from that liquid.

In order to make clothes, the water and amine oxide are added into liquid to make soft fibres. Next, it spin the fibre to make yam. At this point, the weave are generated which are usually used to make bamboo fibric. Finally, the final product is ready for used by the customers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main stages of the bamboo fabric manufacturing process, but it fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words. Because the response is 18 words short, it is penalised for being under-length. Furthermore, while the main steps are identified, the description lacks the level of detail and analytical comparison expected for an Academic Task 1 response. The summary is quite brief and does not fully develop the information provided in the diagram, leading to a limited overview of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organised into two paragraphs, which is a logical approach. The use of cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'After that', 'Once this being finished', and 'Finally' helps to guide the reader through the sequence of events. However, some of the transitions are slightly mechanical or grammatically awkward, such as 'Once this being finished'. While the progression of ideas is clear, the overall structure could be improved by better linking the stages of the process to create a more fluid narrative.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, using terms like 'harvested', 'liquid pulps', 'fibres', and 'amine oxide'. However, there are some inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, such as 'strips cutting instruments' (should be 'cutting tools' or 'machinery') and 'make yam' (likely a typo for 'yarn'). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more precise technical terminology and avoid repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally affect clarity. Examples include 'the bamboo fabrics are harvested' (the diagram shows the plant, not the fabric, being harvested), 'Once this being finished' (incorrect verb form), and 'it spin the fibre' (subject-verb agreement error). Punctuation is generally functional, but the grammatical control is inconsistent, which prevents the response from reaching a higher band.

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

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