Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-13

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 by which fabric is manufactured from bamboo. This process occurs in several steps. Moreover, this process depends on both labour and machinery. Overall, bamboo is used to make fabric. Additionally, humans use this fabric to make numerous items.

First, workers know where bamboo trees grow, and another crucial requirement is the spring season. Consequently, they go to the place of bamboo plants in the spring season. Then, they start the process of gathering the plants. After the harvest, workers begin cutting the plants into strips. They crush the strips to make the liquid pulp. The next step is to filter out the pulp, the liquid is separated into long fibres. Another significant step is to soften the fibres by adding water and amine oxide in it. Afterwards, they spin it to make yarn and weave it to make the fabric. With this fabric, they make various items. For instance, shirts, pants, socks, and bed sheets etc.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student successfully identifies the overall process of manufacturing fabric from bamboo and covers the main stages presented in the diagram, from harvesting to the final consumer products. Key features such as cutting, crushing, filtering, softening, spinning, and weaving are included. However, the response tends to rely heavily on repetitive, basic descriptions without fully synthesizing or extending the information. For example, the overview paragraph simply states that 'bamboo is used to make fabric' and 'humans use this fabric to make numerous items,' which lacks sophisticated reporting of the key features. Additionally, there are minor gaps in precision regarding the physical transformation steps. Consequently, this falls under Band 6 because it addresses all parts of the task, but some aspects are under-developed or somewhat mechanical.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into a clear introduction, a body paragraph describing the sequential steps, and a concluding overview structure, though paragraphing is slightly sparse. The student employs a range of sequencing cohesive devices such as 'First,' 'Then,' 'After the harvest,' 'The next step is,' and 'Afterwards,' which helps guide the reader through the linear manufacturing process. However, some referencing is slightly clunky, such as 'adding water and amine oxide in it' and 'spin it to make yarn,' where pronoun reference can feel repetitive. Cohesion is sometimes mechanical rather than fluid. On balance, the clear logical organization and progression throughout merit a Band 6.5, but due to slightly repetitive cohesive ties, a solid Band 6.0 is appropriate.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range suitable for describing a simple industrial process, successfully utilizing task-specific terms from the diagram like 'liquid pulp,' 'fibres,' 'yarn,' 'weave,' and 'amine oxide.' However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat restricted and repetitive, relying on common verbs like 'make,' 'start,' and 'go.' There are also minor lexical awkwardnesses, such as 'workers know where bamboo trees grow' and 'adding water and amine oxide in it' (omitting 'to'). While attempts are made at less common items, occasional inaccuracies in word choice prevent a higher score. This aligns well with the Band 6 descriptor, demonstrating an adequate range with some attempts at less common vocabulary accompanied by minor errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writing features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The diagram illustrates the process by which fabric is manufactured from bamboo' and 'After the harvest, workers begin cutting the plants into strips.' There is good control over basic grammatical forms, and punctuation is generally sound. However, grammatical errors and awkward phrasing appear occasionally, such as 'workers know where bamboo trees grow, and another crucial requirement is the spring season' (awkward clause coordination) and 'adding water and amine oxide in it' (unnecessary preposition 'in'). Complex structures are attempted but sometimes exhibit minor flaws. Because errors do not impede communication and a mixed range of structures is used with fair accuracy, a Band 6.0 is awarded.

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

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