Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-10

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 show us how plastic bottles are recycled by using various steps and then again bought into use.

The first thing is dumping of plastic bottle in a particular garbage bin then it is collected from different places and moved to the recycling center where the process starts and compression, crushing, and washing takes place

Then production of plastic pellets takes place and it is heated to form the raw material, Once the raw material is formed then producing of new products occur.

The main features are that throwing of plastic is very important and making sure it goes through recycling process and can later be used this process may take time but will be a very useful concern for the environment and can have a positive effect on the society

The awareness about these things should be increased so that the people who are not aware can also contribute towards this change and can create a good impact on the society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad sequence from disposal and collection through processing to new products, and the overview recognises that the material can be reused. However, the account is only partial: it omits the sorting decision at the recycling centre, including the rejection of unsuitable bottles, and does not clearly explain that the finished products feed back into the cycle. The final paragraph shifts to advice about public awareness and environmental benefits, which are not shown in the diagram, while important process details receive little development. For a stronger response, keep the report focused on the illustrated stages, describe the sorting and reuse loop, and give a concise overview of the complete cycle rather than adding general commentary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence, moving from putting bottles in a bin to collection, processing and the production of new items. Paragraph breaks also separate the process description from the concluding comments. However, progression is not consistently clear: the second paragraph combines several stages in one long sentence, and the transition from the process to claims about awareness and society feels abrupt. Linking expressions such as “then” and “Once” help show order, but they are limited and sometimes the relationships between stages are compressed. Organise the report into a clear introduction and overview, followed by a step-by-step account, and use precise links such as “After sorting” and “Finally” to make the sequence easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “recycling center,” “compression,” “crushing,” “washing,” “plastic pellets” and “raw material,” so the reader can recognise the main subject. The range is nevertheless limited, and several phrases are awkward or imprecise for describing a diagram: “dumping of plastic bottle,” “moved to the recycling center where the process starts and compression … takes place,” and “producing of new products occur.” The repeated use of “process” and “takes place” also reduces variety. Aim for accurate, natural process language and specific stage verbs, such as “are sorted,” “are compressed,” and “are converted into pellets.” This would make the description more concise and improve precision without requiring overly advanced vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentence forms, and the sequence can generally be understood. However, errors are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward or difficult to follow. For example, “The diagram show us” has subject–verb disagreement, while “then again bought into use” lacks a clear grammatical construction. The sentence beginning “The first thing is dumping” shifts into a fragment-like list, and “Once the raw material is formed then producing of new products occur” has problems with clause structure and agreement. Capitalisation and punctuation are also inconsistent, particularly around “washing takes place Then production” and the comma before “Once.” Practise complete passive sentences for process descriptions, checking agreement, articles and punctuation in each stage.

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