Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-12

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 how plastic bottles are recycled and producing end products.

Overall, its clear that plastic bottles were not wasted refusing to proceed raw material and make end products.

First of all, some peoples were through the plastic bottles in trash can then garbage truck is carrying garbage and is transported in recycling center. After that sorting the plastic bottles in recycling center then these convert compressing into blocks subsequently blocks are crushing in machine next is collected and wash in water.

Secondly, washing wasted is producing plastic pellets and make the raw material then plastic pellets is collected keep it in one place after that is heated from ground. the raw material is packed in sack . Finally, there material were produced end products such as bottles, clothes , lunch box and pencils. it means plastic bottles are not wasting rather recycled the materials and is producing end products

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main stages from putting bottles in a bin through sorting, processing and making new products, and you include an overview that recognises the process is cyclical. The examples of end products—“bottles, clothes, lunch box and pencils”—also reflect the diagram. However, some stages are unclear or misrepresented: the diagram shows pellets being heated to form raw material, whereas “plastic pellets is collected keep it in one place after that is heated from ground” does not clearly explain this sequence. The sorting decision between accepted and rejected bottles is also omitted. To make the account more complete and precise, describe the stages in order and state clearly that the final products can re-enter the recycling cycle.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has an overall sequence, with “First of all,” “After that,” “Secondly,” and “Finally” guiding the reader through the process. The opening overview also gives the account a useful starting point. However, the division into “First of all” and “Secondly” does not consistently clarify the stages, and several links between ideas are difficult to follow—for example, “then these convert compressing into blocks subsequently blocks are crushing.” The final sentence repeats the idea that the materials are recycled rather than adding a clear concluding point. Use paragraphs to separate the overview from the process details, and connect each stage with precise references such as “the sorted bottles” and “the resulting pellets.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “sorting,” “compressing,” “crushing,” “plastic pellets,” and “raw material,” which helps identify the main stages. The range is nevertheless limited, and several word choices or combinations are inaccurate enough to make parts of the process unclear. For instance, “throw … in trash can” and “garbage truck is carrying garbage” are less precise than language describing bottles being placed in a recycling bin and collected. “Washing wasted” and “heated from ground” also do not communicate the intended stages naturally. Build a more accurate set of process verbs and collocations, and avoid repeating “plastic bottles” when a clear reference such as “the bottles” will do.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both simple and linked sentences, and the sequence is generally understandable despite grammatical errors. However, control of verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence construction is weak in several places. For example, “plastic bottles were not wasted refusing to proceed raw material” lacks a clear grammatical structure, while “these convert compressing into blocks” and “plastic pellets is collected” have incorrect verb forms or agreement. The opening “its clear” also needs an apostrophe and a complete, correctly formed clause. Practise writing short, accurate sentences first, then combine stages using clauses such as “After the bottles are sorted, they are compressed into blocks.” Check subject–verb agreement and use consistent passive forms for this process.

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