Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-06

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows the process for recycling plastic bottles.

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

How plastic bottles are recycled

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The diagram illustrates the process in which waste plastic bottles are recycled.

Overall, the process consists of nine sequential steps, commencing with collectiaon of garbage and culminating to recycled products. it mainly contain chemical and mechanical stages.

Initially, the process starts with collection of trash in a big container before trasporting it to recycling centre. Once it reach, the sorting procress begins, in which plastic bottles are sorted and compressed into large blocks.

Subsequently, the blocks are crushed using heavy machine. After this particals goes for washing. Once it is washed then it converted into pellets using machine. These pellets go through heating process in order to form raw material. Once it converts into raw material, it is now ready to produce recycled items. These raw material is used to manufacture items such as plastic bottles, clothing items, plastic bags.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as recycling plastic bottles and give a useful overview of its nine stages, from collection to the production of new items. Most of the main sequence is reported accurately, including sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pellet production and heating. However, the opening stage is described as “collection of garbage” rather than bottles being placed in a recycling bin, and the sorting stage’s separation of suitable and unsuitable bottles is omitted. The overview’s claim that the process mainly contains “chemical” stages is not supported by the diagram, which shows mechanical processing. The response is also 10 words below the required minimum. Add the missing sorting detail and describe the process more precisely to cover the task more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by the early and later stages in sequence. Linking expressions such as “Initially,” “Subsequently,” and “After this” help the reader follow the process. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear. For example, “Once it reach” has an unclear reference, and “Once it is washed then it converted into pellets” combines links awkwardly. The final stages are compressed into a long sequence of repeated “Once” clauses. Use clearer references to the bottles, plastic, and pellets, and group the stages into paragraphs with a more varied range of transitions. This would make the progression smoother while preserving the logical structure already present.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “sorting,” “compressed,” “crushed,” “washing,” “pellets,” and “raw material,” which allows the main stages to be understood. There is also some variation in how you refer to the material, such as “waste plastic bottles” and “plastic bottles.” However, several word choices are imprecise or informal for this task: “trash,” “garbage,” “big container,” and “heavy machine” do not describe the diagram as accurately as “recycling bin,” “bottles,” and “machinery.” Spelling errors such as “collectiaon,” “trasporting,” “procress,” and “particals” are noticeable. Aim for precise process terminology and check spelling carefully; this will make your vocabulary more reliable and appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning “Once” and “in which,” and the overall meaning is generally understandable. However, errors in verb forms and agreement recur: “Once it reach” should be “Once it reaches,” “particals goes” needs a plural subject and verb, and “These raw material is” should be “This raw material is” or “These raw materials are.” The phrase “then it converted” also needs an auxiliary verb (“it is converted”). Capitalisation is inconsistent, as in the lowercase “it” after the overview. Practise accurate present-simple passive forms, which are especially useful for process descriptions, and check subject–verb agreement and sentence boundaries. These corrections would improve control without requiring more complicated structures.

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