Question

The diagrams below (click to enlarge) 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.

Model Answer

The production of silk cloth is a complicated processes involving two main stages; the production of the silk by the silkworm and subsequent processing of the silk into the finished material.

The lifecycle of the silkworm starts with a female moth laying eggs on a mulberry plant leaf. After ten days, these eggs then hatch into silkworm larvae which feed on the mulberry leaf. After another 4 to 6 weeks, the larva is mature enough to start producing silk. It takes 3 to 6 days for the larva to encase itself in a silk cocoon from which it will emerge as an adult moth about two weeks later.

In order to produce silk cloth, suitable cocoons are carefully selected before being boiled in water for a period of time. Once this has been completed, it is possible to unwind the cocoons. Each cocoon produces approximately 300 - 900 metres of thread. This thread is soaked in dye and is then ready to be woven into silk cloth.

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