Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-13

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 5.0)

The given diagram illustrate that the procedure of recycling the plastic. It has shown all the steps from dumping the plastic in dusting to make materials like shopping bags pencils and kther plastic items. Overall it has shown all the procedures of recycling the plastic item. Initially, when a person dump some plastic bottle into a dustbin the vehicle took the whole garbage with itself where the method of sorting is started. In this method the plastic is organize into different types. After that is compressed into blocks where the crushing is started. After crushing the plastic down, it is washed completel. After that this material is melted down and converted into raw material. The raw material is the most important thing to make many other items. After that last and final step is started. In this step the raw material is used to make many useful items. Overall it shows the whole procedure of recycling the plastic.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You cover the main stages from putting bottles in a bin through collection, sorting, processing and making new products, and the sequence is generally accurate. The opening and closing stages are also identified, while the overview recognises that the diagram shows a recycling procedure. However, the overview mostly repeats this general point rather than highlighting the key feature: the process is a closed loop, with end products returning to the start. Some details are unclear or imprecise; for example, sorting is described as separating plastic into “different types,” whereas the diagram shows accepted and rejected items. The account also omits the production of plastic pellets and gives limited detail about the range of end products. A more informative overview and fuller reporting of these stages would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The stages are presented in a broadly logical order, and sequencing phrases such as “Initially,” “After that” and “After crushing” help the reader follow the process. However, the response is written as one continuous paragraph, so the overview and stage-by-stage description are not clearly separated. Cohesive devices are also repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “After that,” and the two sentences beginning “Overall” repeat the same general idea rather than advancing the description. Some links between stages are unclear, as in “After that is compressed into blocks where the crushing is started.” Organise the response into a brief introduction and overview followed by a process paragraph, and use precise references to show how each stage leads to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “sorting,” “compressed,” “crushing,” “washed,” “melted down” and “raw material,” which helps communicate the main sequence. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this diagram. “Dusting” does not describe putting bottles in a recycling bin, “dustbin” is less precise than “recycling bin,” and “the whole garbage” does not accurately identify the bottles being collected. There are also spelling errors, including “kther” and “completel,” and repeated general wording such as “many useful items.” Use the diagram’s specific terms—such as “plastic pellets,” “recycling centre” and “end products”—and choose precise verbs for each stage.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more extended sentences, including a time clause beginning “when” and a relative clause in “where the method of sorting is started.” However, grammatical errors occur frequently and sometimes make the process difficult to follow. For example, “The given diagram illustrate” has subject–verb disagreement, while “when a person dump” and “the vehicle took” use incorrect verb forms for describing a general process. Articles and sentence construction are also problematic in “After that is compressed into blocks,” where the subject is missing, and “After that last and final step is started” is awkwardly formed. Practise accurate present simple passive forms, such as “the bottles are compressed,” and ensure each sentence has a clear subject and verb.

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