Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 diagram portrays how bamboo is processed for the manufacturing of fabric. It is based on the season of spring, when bamboo is planted and later on harvested in the season of autumn.

Started with the plantation of bamboo which is collected in autumn. The collected bamboo sent to industry for further preparation, where it is cut in strips. The bamboo strips crushed to get the liquid pulp from it. The obtained pulp filtered to separate the unwanted and long fibres from the liquid. To soften the fibre, it is treated in such a way to add water and amine oxide in it.

Summarizing the final execution, the fibre spin is performed to make yarn. Lastly, the yarn weaving method is used in making of desired clothing and hosiery, which includes

Sweaters, shirts, socks and many other items. It is the complete and detailed process of how fabric is manufactured from bamboo.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the bamboo manufacturing process, from planting to the final product. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview or summary of the key features as required by the task. While the stages are identified, the response would benefit from a more analytical approach, such as grouping the stages into logical phases (e.g., cultivation, chemical processing, and textile production). The inclusion of specific examples like 'sweaters' and 'socks' is good, but the overall development is quite brief, barely meeting the minimum requirements for a comprehensive summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into three short paragraphs, which provides a basic structure. However, the progression of ideas is sometimes disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and occasionally mechanical, such as 'Started with' and 'Summarizing the final execution'. The transition between the chemical treatment and the spinning process is abrupt. To improve, you should use a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect the stages more fluidly, ensuring that the relationship between the different steps in the process is clearly signposted for the reader.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'plantation', 'harvested', 'liquid pulp', and 'amine oxide' used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'The collected bamboo sent to industry' (missing a verb) and 'the fibre spin is performed'. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise collocations and a broader range of vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'extraction', 'transformation', or 'subsequent'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains several grammatical errors that affect the flow of the text. There are missing auxiliary verbs, such as in 'The collected bamboo sent to industry' (should be 'is sent') and 'The bamboo strips crushed' (should be 'are crushed'). Additionally, some sentence structures are simplistic or slightly ungrammatical, such as 'It is based on the season of spring'. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the passive voice, which is essential for process descriptions, will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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