Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-08

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 4.5)

The given process that was provide information about the plastic bottles are recycle. Overall it is crystal clear dad there are seven steps first of all the first step is the recycling process of the and dusting of garbage glasses step is the describe information about the heating Paris to the from raw material and the other next one is the process of tracking of garbage in transportation 3rd step they can a rectangle and sorting and when it was complete the comprising into the blocks with the help of machine and other point 5 the step is dressing the material of pages and then more over and further more the six strap is also be describes and details about the producing of the plastic planets then was work into the materials and the healing palette of the room material was asked me to the wrong period then the raw material is also be ready for selling.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response4.5
Coherence and Cohesion4.0
Lexical Resource4.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy4.5
Overall4.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the general subject as plastic-bottle recycling and mention several relevant stages, including collection, sorting, compressing, crushing, pellet production and heating. However, the account is only a minimal and often unclear response to the diagram. The overview says there are “seven steps,” although the diagram shows a longer, closed-loop process, and the sequence is difficult to follow: heating is mentioned near the beginning, while later stages are described in a confused order. Important features are omitted or misrepresented, including washing, the raw material stage, the range of end products and the return to the recycling bin. To improve, give a clear overview of the full cycle, then report its stages in order using accurate details from the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is an attempt to describe stages in sequence, using markers such as “first of all,” “3rd step,” “then,” and “further more.” These provide some indication that the process has an order. However, the response is presented as one long, run-on sequence, with no clear separation between an overview and the detailed stages. Connections are often unclear, as in “the other next one” and “then was work into the materials,” so the reader cannot reliably tell which stage follows another. Some linking phrases are repeated or used without a clear relationship between ideas. Organise the response into an overview and a chronological description, and use short, complete sentences with precise links such as “Next,” “After washing,” and “Finally.”

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response includes a few relevant process terms, such as “recycling,” “sorting,” “blocks,” “machine,” and “raw material,” showing some basic vocabulary for the topic. However, the range is limited and many word choices or forms make the meaning difficult to understand. For example, “dusting of garbage glasses,” “tracking of garbage,” “dressing the material of pages,” and “plastic planets” do not accurately describe the diagram’s stages. “Healing palette” also appears to be an inaccurate attempt to refer to heating pellets. Aim to use the diagram’s straightforward labels accurately: “collecting bottles,” “sorting,” “compressing,” “crushing,” “washing,” and “producing pellets.” Checking spelling and collocations will make the process easier to follow.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to connect ideas in longer sentences, but grammatical control is weak and errors frequently obscure the intended meaning. The opening, “The given process that was provide information,” has an incorrect verb form and an incomplete structure; “the plastic bottles are recycle” also has an incorrect passive construction. Agreement and sentence formation are problematic in phrases such as “the six strap is also be describes,” while several clauses run together without clear punctuation. Most sentences do not show reliable control of basic patterns, and the reader often has to infer the intended relationship between clauses. Build accuracy with simple present passive forms, for example, “The bottles are collected” and “They are then sorted,” before attempting longer sentences.

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

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