Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-30

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 illustrates how fabric is manufactured from bamboo.

Overall, the process consists of 9 main stages, beginning with cultivation of bamboo and ending with manufactured goods from fabric.

At the first stage, the cultivation of bamboo starts from planting the bamboo during the spring season. Next, in the autumn season we can harvest the bamboo trees. Following this, the bamboo trees are collected as a pile and each bamboo tree was cut into strips using a cutting machine. After that, each strip of bamboo was crushed, which results in making liquid pulp.

In the next stage, using a funnel start separating the long fibers from liquid. Subsequently, softening the fibres by adding water and amine oxide to the fibre. Next, start spinning the fabric into a yarn this is most commonly known as wool. Now, using this yarn start weaving a product either using a machine or hand. Finally, products such as shirts, socks are made from the fabric and the process is completed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features and steps of the bamboo fabric manufacturing process. An adequate overview is provided in the second paragraph, outlining the total number of stages from cultivation to manufactured goods. Key steps such as planting, harvesting, crushing into pulp, filtering, softening with water and amine oxide, spinning, and weaving are accurately captured and sequenced. However, some minor details are slightly imprecise or colloquial, such as describing spun yarn as "commonly known as wool" (which is inaccurate for bamboo). Despite this minor misdescription, the response covers the process well and meets the requirements of Task Achievement at a solid band 6.5 level, tending towards band 7 due to the comprehensive coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is coherent overall and follows a logical chronological progression that mirrors the steps in the diagram. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to separate the introduction, overview, and body steps. Cohesive devices are employed to link the stages, such as "At the first stage", "Next", "Following this", and "In the next stage". However, cohesion can occasionally feel mechanical or repetitive, and referencing is slightly weak in places (e.g., "using a funnel start separating" lacks a clear subject). Paragraphing is also somewhat choppy, with several single-sentence paragraphs in the body. Nevertheless, the progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow, supporting a band 6.0 score.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully incorporating process-specific terms like "cultivation", "harvest", "strips", "liquid pulp", "fibres", "spin", and "weave". There are, however, noticeable word choice errors and awkward phrasings, such as "manufactured goods from fabric" and identifying bamboo yarn as "wool". Some expressions are also quite basic or repetitive ("each bamboo tree was cut", "each strip of bamboo was crushed"). While these lexical inaccuracies do not impede communication, they prevent the score from rising into the higher bands. Overall, the lexical control aligns well with the band 6 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including passive voice constructions like "the bamboo trees are collected" and "each strip of bamboo was crushed". However, there are frequent grammatical inconsistencies and tense shifts, particularly mixing past and present tenses ("was cut" versus "is manufactured" and "starts"). Additionally, several sentences lack proper subjects or imperative/infinitive balance (e.g., "using a funnel start separating" and "softening the fibres by adding..."). Punctuation and minor structural slips occur, but they rarely impede overall comprehension. This balance of mixed structures and persistent errors is characteristic of a band 6.0 performance.

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

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