Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-03

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 chart illustrates how fabric such as shirts and socks are manufactured from bamboo.

Overall, this process includes nine steps. It starts with cultivation of bamboo and ending with the production of fabric. The main stages include harvesting, softening, filtering, cutting, spinning and weaving.

Firstly, a bamboo plant is grown. In autumn its harvesting starts. After harvesting the bamboo plant it is converted into thin strips. When the fibre is softened there's an addition of water and amine oxide.

Later, the softened fibres are filtered, It seperates long fibres from liquid. The strips are then cut into smaller pieces to produce the liquid pulp. Afterwards, the pulp is spun into yarn. Which is then woven to make fabric. Finally, this fabric is used to make clothing fabrics such as shirts and socks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but the word count requirement is not met, falling short of the 150-word minimum at 132 words. While the overview outlines the general nature of the process and lists some steps, the information is somewhat limited and parts of the sequence are slightly confused. For instance, the sequence of cutting the strips, softening fibres with water and amine oxide, and filtering is slightly out of order compared to the diagram. To improve, you should ensure you meet the minimum word length, provide a clearer overall summary without listing every minor detail mechanically, and trace the sequence of the diagram accurately without omitting or reordering key technical steps.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is a basic logical organisation with an introduction, body sentences, and a conclusion, using some cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'Later', and 'Finally'. However, the progression is sometimes mechanical or disjointed, and referencing is not always completely clear. For example, the sentence 'Which is then woven to make fabric' is written as a sentence fragment starting with a relative pronoun, which disrupts the flow and cohesion of the writing. Paragraphing is also somewhat fragmented, with single-sentence lines that do not form fully developed thematic paragraphs. To move to a higher band, ensure that cohesive devices link ideas smoothly across well-structured paragraphs rather than relying on isolated sentences and mechanical transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting some less common technical items such as 'cultivation', 'softened', 'amine oxide', and 'liquid pulp'. However, there are noticeable lexical and spelling inaccuracies that affect precision, such as 'seperates' instead of separates, and awkward phrasing like 'clothing fabrics'. Word choice is sometimes repetitive or slightly imprecise when describing the physical transformations. To achieve a higher band, you need to expand your range of vocabulary with more precise technical collocations and ensure all words are spelled correctly and used with natural control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response shows a mix of simple and some complex sentence forms, but the range of structures remains limited. There are several grammatical errors and punctuation issues throughout the text, such as comma splices and incorrect clause structures, as seen in 'Later, the softened fibres are filtered, It seperates long fibres from liquid' and the sentence fragment 'Which is then woven to make fabric'. While these errors rarely completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to detract from the overall grammatical control. To improve, focus on avoiding comma splices, eliminating sentence fragments, and using a wider variety of accurate complex sentence structures.

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

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