Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-09

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 given diagram illustrates information regarding the process for recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, the entire process has nine steps starting with throw and ending at producing and products, there are multiple steps between the process.

At the first glance, firstly garbage throw in dustbin by people then sent to factory by trucks after that in factory, they sorting it according to material like glass bottles and plastic and then compressing into blocks and then crushing it by machine.

At the rest of information, they wash the material and then then dry it and after that they producing plastic pellets and then heating pellets to form raw material and then pack it in sacks and then produce penciels, triffens , bottles and bags.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the subject and give a basic account of the sequence, including collection, sorting, compressing, crushing, pellet production and the final products. However, the overview is unclear: “starting with throw and ending at producing and products” does not accurately express the loop, which returns from end products to the recycling bin. Some details are also inaccurate or unsupported: the diagram does not specify sorting by material such as glass and plastic, nor does it show the material being dried. The response is 122 words, below the required 150, so several stages and the recycling loop are not adequately explained. To improve, provide a clear overview of the circular process and describe the diagram’s actual stages more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the stages. The sequence is generally understandable, moving from disposal and collection through processing to new products. However, progression is weakened by repetitive linking, especially the repeated “then” and “after that,” and the division into “At the first glance” and “At the rest of information” does not clearly organise the process into its main phases. Some connections are also unclear, such as “there are multiple steps between the process.” Group the stages into collection and sorting, then processing and manufacture, and use a wider range of accurate transitions. This would make the overall arrangement more coherent and reduce the mechanical feel.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary such as “recycling,” “compressing,” “crushing,” “plastic pellets,” and “raw material,” which helps communicate the main subject. However, the range is limited and several choices or forms are inaccurate, sometimes making the meaning unclear. For example, “throw in dustbin” is not a natural description of disposal, “they sorting it” is imprecise, and “producing and products” does not convey the final stage. There are also spelling errors in “penciels” and “triffens,” and “factory” is less precise than the diagram’s recycling centre. Build a more accurate process vocabulary and check spelling and collocations before finishing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to describe a sequence using both simple clauses and longer sentences, and the reader can usually follow the broad order. However, the range is limited, and errors in verb forms, sentence construction and articles are frequent enough to affect clarity. Examples include “starting with throw,” “then sent to factory,” “they sorting it,” and “they producing plastic pellets”; these need appropriate verb forms and complete grammatical structures. The sentence beginning “At the first glance” also runs several stages together without clear punctuation, while “then then” shows insufficient editing. Practise forming accurate passive constructions for process descriptions, such as “the bottles are collected,” and vary sentence patterns while checking each clause for a subject and correctly formed verb.

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