Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-02

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 linear processmanufacturing clothing items from bamboo plants through a nine-stage procedure.

Overall, the process begin with cultivation and harvesting of bambooand ends with the production of final textile goods. It involves both mechanical processing and chemical treatmentsto transform raw plants into fabric.

First, bamboo plants are grown in spring and then harvesting during autumn.Next, the harvested bamboo cut into strips, which are subsiquentlycrushed to form a liquid pulp. In the fifth stage, this mixture is filtered to seperate the long fibresfrom the remaining liquid.

After filtration, water and amine oxide are added to softenthe extrated febric

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response suffers significantly from length limitations, containing only 100 words which falls well short of the 150-word minimum requirement. Because the response is severely truncated, it addresses the task only partially, leaving several key stages of the manufacturing process completely unmentioned, such as the final steps of spinning, weaving, and the production of clothing items. While an overview is attempted and some initial steps are outlined, the lack of completion restricts the coverage. To achieve a higher band, the writer must ensure the full length requirement is met and that all stages of the process diagram are reported, rather than stopping abruptly at step six.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response shows a clear attempt at logical organization and progression, demonstrating strengths typical of a higher band before dropping off. The introduction successfully sets up the overview of the process, and cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'First', and 'Next' are used to sequence the early stages. However, the text breaks off prematurely, preventing full evaluation of paragraphing and overall progression across the entire process. The relationship between sentences is generally clear, but referencing and cohesive control become incomplete due to the truncation. To improve, the writer should maintain a steady logical flow right through to the final stages of the process while ensuring cohesive links are used naturally without becoming mechanical.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is minimally adequate for the task, demonstrating some appropriate terms related to manufacturing, such as 'cultivation', 'harvesting', 'liquid pulp', and 'filtered'. However, there are several noticeable spelling and word-choice errors that detract from the quality of the response, including 'processmanufacturing', 'harvesting' used instead of 'harvested', 'subsiquently', 'seperate', 'extrated', and 'febric'. These errors reflect a limited control over spelling and word forms. To reach a higher band, the writer needs to expand their lexical range with more sophisticated vocabulary and eliminate basic spelling mistakes to ensure smooth communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response features a limited range of grammatical structures, attempting some complex forms which often contain errors. There are notable grammatical slips and omissions, such as the missing auxiliary verb and preposition in 'the process begin' and 'the harvested bamboo cut into strips' (passive voice error), as well as a sentence fragment at the end ('After filtration, water and amine oxide are added to softenthe extrated febric'). These frequent errors can cause some difficulty for the reader. To improve, the writer needs to exercise greater control over basic verb agreement, passive constructions, and infinitive forms, while incorporating a wider variety of error-free complex sentences.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.