IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Silkworm Life Cycle & Silk Production (Band 9 Sample)
This Academic Task 1 shows two diagrams: the life cycle of the silkworm and the process of making silk cloth from its cocoon. A band-9 response makes clear that the first is a cycle and the second a linear sequence, then reports the stages of each in order using the present passive and sequencing language. Below is a model answer of roughly 175 words, followed by why it scores 9 on all four criteria.
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01 · The task
The diagrams below show the life cycle of the silkworm and the stages in the production of silk cloth. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
02 · Band 9 sample answer
174 words · Band 9The two diagrams illustrate, firstly, the natural life cycle of the silkworm and, secondly, the manufacturing process by which its cocoon is turned into silk cloth.
Overall, the life cycle is a continuous loop with four stages, whereas silk production is a linear process of five steps. Together, they show how a natural material is harvested from an insect and then processed by hand into finished cloth.
The life cycle begins when a moth lays eggs, which hatch into silkworm larvae after around ten days. The larvae then feed on mulberry leaves for four to six weeks before spinning a cocoon of silk thread over the next three to eight days. Sixteen days later, an adult moth emerges from the cocoon, and the cycle starts afresh.
In the production of silk cloth, the cocoons are first selected and then boiled in water. Next, each cocoon is carefully unwound to yield a single thread of between 300 and 900 metres, which is subsequently twisted for strength. Finally, the thread is woven into cloth and dyed.
03 · Why this scores Band 9
The response covers both diagrams, opens with an overview that correctly distinguishes the cyclical life cycle from the linear production process, and then reports every stage of each in order, including the key timings (ten days, four to six weeks, sixteen days) and the 300–900 metre thread length. It selects the main stages rather than over-describing.
The report is cleanly divided — overview, then one paragraph per diagram — and each follows the ideal process shape. Sequencing language is varied and accurate — "begins when...", "then feed on...", "before spinning...", "Sixteen days later...", "first selected and then boiled...", "Next...", "subsequently...", "Finally".
Process vocabulary is precise and varied — "hatch into larvae", "feed on mulberry leaves", "spinning a cocoon", "emerges from the cocoon", "unwound to yield a single thread", "twisted for strength", "woven into cloth and dyed" — using accurate verbs rather than a single repeated word.
The present passive is used correctly for the production process — "are first selected and then boiled", "is carefully unwound", "is subsequently twisted", "is woven into cloth and dyed" — while the life cycle uses the active present for a natural process ("a moth lays eggs", "the larvae feed on..."). A relative clause ("which hatch into silkworm larvae") adds range, and the writing is error-free.
04 · Useful collocations for this task
Tap a phrase to see what it means and how to use it. Natural collocations like these lift your Lexical Resource score.
05 · Frequently asked questions
How do I handle a question with two separate diagrams?
Cover them separately after a combined overview — one paragraph each. In the overview, note how they relate; here, one is a natural cycle and the other a manufacturing process, and together they trace silk from insect to cloth.
How do I show that one diagram is a cycle?
Say so in the overview ("a continuous loop") and end that paragraph by noting the cycle "starts afresh". For the linear process, use a clear start-to-finish sequence with "first... next... finally".
What tense and voice should I use?
Present simple throughout. Use the passive for the human-run production process ("the cocoons are boiled"), and the active for the natural life cycle ("the moth lays eggs"). Keep both consistent.
How long should a Task 1 answer be?
At least 150 words; a band-9 answer is usually 170–200. This model is 174 words, enough to cover both diagrams stage by stage. Spend about 20 minutes on Task 1.
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