Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-14
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 a detailed industrial process step by step, showing how fabric is manufactured from a natural material, bamboo.
Overall, nine steps are depicted here which reveal gradually the harvesting of bamboo after planting the plant, processing materials for making fibers and finally preparing clothes and other outfits. An idea of the full manufacturing process of producing clothes can be gained from here.
However, spring is mentioned as the time to plant bamboo plants, and autumn is the time for harvesting them. After collecting bamboo stalks, those are cut into strips and then the strips are crushed to make liquid pulp. Filtering begins after that step separating long fibers from liquid. Water and amine oxide are mixed then to soften fibers and it prepares fibers to make yarn later.
Furthermore, The soft fibers are spun to make yarn. Finally the fibers are woven from the yarn to make fabric. This fabric is used later to make socks and other garments like T-shirts.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response successfully covers all stages of the bamboo fabric manufacturing process, from planting and harvesting to processing, spinning, weaving, and final garment production. The student provides a clear overview in the second paragraph, identifying the overall number of steps and the main stages. Key features such as the timing of planting in spring and harvesting in autumn, cutting into strips, crushing into liquid pulp, filtering long fibers, mixing with water and amine oxide, and final spinning and weaving are reported. Comparisons or a deeper synthesis of the cyclical or mechanical relationships could be slightly more fully developed to reach a higher band, but all main parts of the diagram are adequately addressed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is arranged logically with an introduction, an overview paragraph, and sequential body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the manufacturing process. Cohesive devices such as 'After collecting', 'Then', 'After that step', 'Furthermore', and 'Finally' are used to guide the reader through the stages, though some transitions feel a bit mechanical ('Filtering begins after that step separating long fibers from liquid'). Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and process steps. However, referencing and cohesion could be smoother and less repetitive to achieve a higher score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms related to the diagram such as 'manufacturing', 'harvesting', 'liquid pulp', 'fibers', 'yarn', and 'fabric'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary ('industrial process', 'cyclical' implied through stages), but also minor awkwardness and repetition in word choice, such as 'revealing gradually' and repeating 'fibers' multiple times in close proximity ('soft fibers are spun... Finally the fibers are woven'). Spelling and word choice are generally accurate and do not impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as participial phrases ('showing how fabric is manufactured') and relative clauses. There are control issues with punctuation and sentence boundary definition, notably in sentences like 'After collecting bamboo stalks, those are cut into strips and then the strips are crushed to make liquid pulp' and the uncapitalized start after a period in 'Furthermore, The soft fibers...'. Grammatical errors are relatively infrequent, and communication is not impeded, but the lack of consistent complex structure variety and minor mechanical slips keep this at a solid band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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