Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-19

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows how instant noodles are manufactured.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The given diagram represents step by step process of manufacturing instant noodles.

Generally, the process includes the stages of collecting flour, process of making noodles, cooking and drying, adding vegetables and spices and last labelling and sealing it.

By taking a closer look we can see that the process begins with collecting flour from storage silos than dumping it into mixer where water and oil is added to form a dough. Than after, the dough is passed through a dough sheet which makes it flattened. Now the thrid part is to cut the dough into strips and than later they are passed through noodles discs where the noodles are cooked in oil and afterwards they are left for drying.

Now comes the main part where the noodles are transferred to a cup with vegetables and some spices to make the instant noodles delicious. The last process is to label to product and to seal it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the manufacturing process, from raw materials to the final product. However, it lacks a clear overview or summary of the process, which is essential for a Band 7 or higher. The description is purely sequential and misses the opportunity to group stages or highlight key features, such as the transition from raw ingredients to the final packaged product. While all steps are mentioned, the lack of a clear summary and the somewhat simplistic reporting style limit the score. To improve, ensure you include an introductory overview that synthesises the main trends or stages of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is logically organised, following the chronological order of the diagram. Paragraphing is used to separate the introduction from the body, though the body paragraphs are somewhat fragmented. Cohesive devices are present, such as 'By taking a closer look', 'Now comes', and 'The last process', but some transitions are mechanical or repetitive (e.g., the frequent use of 'than' instead of 'then'). The progression of ideas is clear, but the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to connect the stages more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using process-specific terms like 'storage silos', 'dough', and 'labelling'. However, there are several spelling errors, most notably the confusion between 'than' and 'then' throughout the text, and 'thrid' instead of 'third'. These errors are noticeable but do not prevent the reader from understanding the process. To achieve a higher band, you should aim for more precise vocabulary to describe the mechanical actions, such as 'extruded' or 'processed', and ensure accurate spelling of common transition words.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'represents step by step process' (missing an article) and 'label to product' (incorrect preposition). The confusion between 'than' and 'then' is a recurring grammatical issue. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these small errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on article usage and proofreading for common homophone errors would significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.

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

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