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 the recycling process of plastic bottles.

Overall, the process consist of 9 stages, it starts from collecting the bottles from recycling bin through a truck and collected bottles transferred in to a recycling Centre. In the final stage the recycled bottles are converted in to a usable products.

The process starts from a recycle bin where many individuals throw the unused bottles on there. After that a truck collects the plastic from the bin. Furthermore, the truck transported the plastic in a recycling Centre for sorting. In addition, the sorting plastic compressed into blocks.

Whereas, the blocks crushed into small pieces and through into a water tank for washing. After that the small pieces processed and turn into plastic pellets. In second last stage the pellets heated in a chamber to convert them into a raw material. In the final stage the raw material used to make different types of products like bottles, pencils and shopping bags.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main stages from disposal and collection through sorting, processing, and making new products, and your overview identifies the process as a cycle with nine stages. The examples of bottles, pencils, and shopping bags are consistent with the diagram. However, some important details are omitted or unclear: the sorting stage separates suitable bottles from rejected items, and the diagram shows the loop returning from end products to the recycling bin. The description of the later stages is also compressed; for example, explain that the plastic is washed, made into pellets, and heated to produce raw material before new products are manufactured. More complete reporting of these features would make the account more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall sequence and is divided into an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the stages. Time and sequence markers such as “After that,” “Furthermore,” and “In the final stage” help readers follow the process. However, some linking is mechanical or not well suited to the relationship between ideas. “Whereas” introduces the crushing stage without a contrasting clause, while “In addition” does not clearly show the connection between sorting and compression. The overview also combines several stages in a long sentence, making the progression less clear. Use fewer, more precise transitions and group the stages into a smoother progression, including the return arrow that completes the cycle.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “sorting,” “compressed,” “crushed,” “pellets,” and “raw material,” which allows the main stages to be understood. There is also some useful variation in how you refer to the plastic and its products. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or informal, such as “throw the unused bottles on there,” “through into a water tank,” and “usable products.” “Recycling centre” is also capitalised inconsistently. Aim for precise process language, for example, “place used bottles in the bin,” “the pieces are washed,” and “manufacture a range of products.” More accurate phrasing would improve clarity and make the vocabulary more appropriate to an academic process description.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, and the sequence is generally understandable. However, errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction occur in several places. For example, “the process consist” should be “the process consists,” and “the sorting plastic compressed into blocks” needs a passive form such as “the sorted plastic is compressed into blocks.” The overview’s sentence joining (“Overall, the process consist of 9 stages, it starts…”) creates a comma splice, while “the raw material used” is missing an auxiliary verb. Work on consistent present-simple passive constructions, which are especially useful for describing processes, and check each sentence for a complete subject and verb.

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