Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-24

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 how bamboo plants are processed to manufacture fabric.

The first step in the process is planting of the bamboo plants, that is done in the season of spring. In the next step, once the plants have grown to full size, they are harvested during the season of autumn. In the third step, the harvested plants are cut into many small strips. The strips are then crushed to make liquid pulp. The next step in the process is filteration, the liquid pulp is filltered in order to separate long fibers from the liquid pulp. In the sixth step, the separated fibers are processed, water and amine oxide is added in order to make the fibers soft. The soften fibers are them spun in order to produce yam. Then in the next step the yam is used to weave fabric. The manufactured fabric is then used to make clothes and other wearing items.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student successfully identifies and reports all the main stages of the bamboo fabric manufacturing process, from planting in spring through to the final product. The response covers the entire sequence outlined in the diagram accurately, mentioning key details such as cutting into strips, crushing into pulp, filtering, softening with water and amine oxide, spinning, and weaving. However, the response lacks an introductory overview paragraph, which is an essential component for achieving a higher band score in Academic Task 1. Furthermore, the information is presented in a single, unparagraphed block rather than logically grouped sections, which limits the overall development and structural clarity of the task response. Overall, all parts of the visual data are addressed accurately, but the lack of an overview and a clear structural layout prevents the response from reaching higher bands.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response suffers notably from a lack of paragraphing, as the entire text is presented as one continuous block. This makes it difficult to follow the natural progression of the manufacturing stages. While sequential transition phrases are used—such as 'The first step', 'In the next step', and 'Then in the next step'—these cohesive devices can feel somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Additionally, the referencing pronoun 'that is done' in the second sentence is slightly awkward. Although the logical sequence of the process is maintained from start to finish, the absence of paragraphs and the reliance on repetitive connectors mean that the overall organization does not meet the criteria for Band 7.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, successfully conveying the steps involved in the diagram with terms like 'manufacture', 'harvested', 'crushed', 'pulp', and 'spin'. However, there are several noticeable spelling and word-choice errors that detract from the quality, such as 'filteration' (filtration), 'filltered' (filtered), 'fibers' (fibres), 'soften' (softened), and 'yam' (yarn). The student attempts some less common vocabulary items related to the process, but the presence of these mechanical errors and occasional imprecise collocations ('wearing items' instead of 'clothing items' or 'garments') keeps the lexical score at a solid Band 6 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and passive constructions such as 'the liquid pulp is filtered in order to separate' and 'the separated fibers are processed'. There are, however, several grammatical and punctuation errors present throughout the text. For instance, comma splices occur in sentences like 'The first step in the process is planting of the bamboo plants, that is done in the season of spring' and 'The next step in the process is filteration, the liquid pulp is filltered'. Additionally, subject-verb agreement or tense consistency falters slightly with phrases like 'The soften fibers are them spun'. Despite these errors, meaning is generally clear and communication is not severely impeded.

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