Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-11

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 process diagram illustrates how fabric is manufactured from bamboo.

Overall, the diagram consists of nine stages. Beginning with the planting of bamboo plants and ending with the production of clothes.

Initially, the bamboo plants are planted. After that, the bamboo plants are harvested by a harvester. Subsequently, the harvested bamboo is transported to the cutting machine to be cut into strips. After that, the bamboo strips are crushed to make a liquid pulp. Moreover, it is filtered to separate long fibres from liquid and water and amine oxide are added to produce a soft fibre.

Furthermore, the soft fibres are spun to make yarn. After that, the yarn is woven to produce soft fabric. Ultimately, the fabric is used to produce several garments, such as shirts, socks and dresses.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main stages of the bamboo manufacturing process, from planting to the final product. However, the response is 130 words, which is below the 150-word minimum requirement. This significantly impacts the score as the task is not fully completed. While the main features are identified, the description lacks the necessary detail and depth expected for an Academic Task 1 response. To improve, you should expand on the chemical and mechanical processes described in the diagram, such as explaining the role of the amine oxide or the specific nature of the crushing process, to ensure a more comprehensive summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, following the chronological order of the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial stages from the later manufacturing steps. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Subsequently', 'Moreover', and 'Ultimately' are used to guide the reader through the stages. However, the flow is somewhat mechanical due to the repetitive use of 'After that' at the beginning of several sentences. To reach a higher band, try to vary your linking phrases and use more sophisticated referencing to connect the stages more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with terms like 'manufactured', 'harvested', 'crushed', and 'spun' used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. There is little attempt to use less common or more precise vocabulary related to industrial processes. For example, instead of 'make a liquid pulp', you could use 'convert into a viscous solution'. To improve, focus on incorporating more precise technical terminology and synonyms to avoid repeating basic verbs like 'make' or 'produce'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and the passive voice is used appropriately to describe the manufacturing process (e.g., 'bamboo plants are harvested'). There are no major errors that impede communication. However, the range of structures is limited; most sentences follow a similar pattern. To achieve a higher score, incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as relative clauses or participle phrases, to describe the stages more dynamically.

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

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