Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-24

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 6.5)

The figure illustrate a whole procedure that how plastic bottles are recycled. the process comprises on several steps and each step is shown in detail, in which the waste plastic bottles are recycled to make new variety of products like clothes, bags or utensils etc.

In the first step, the plastic bottles are thrown into recycling bin by locals. They are then collected by a van from all the bins to get them to recycling centers. At recycling centers, they are sorted according to their colors and types. After that, they all are compressed to make the air out, and then blocks are made from that compressed stuff.

The compressed blocks are then crushed into tiny pieces by a crusher, and then those tiny crushed plastic pieces are washed to remove the dust or wastes. Those washed crushed pieces are then sent to another machine to produce plastic pellets which are then heated to form raw materials. Those raw materials are then used to produce end new products like clothes, bags or utensils etc.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response clearly identifies the main stages of the recycling process. You have successfully covered the entire sequence from collection to the production of new items. However, to reach a higher band, you should aim to provide a more analytical overview. Instead of just listing steps, try to group the process into distinct phases (e.g., collection, processing, and manufacturing) to show a better understanding of the overall flow. Additionally, ensure you avoid listing examples like 'clothes, bags or utensils etc.' repeatedly, as this is slightly repetitive. Overall, the information is accurate and covers all parts of the diagram effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, following the chronological order of the process. You have used some cohesive devices such as 'In the first step', 'After that', and 'then', which help the reader follow the sequence. However, the cohesion is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. To improve, try to vary your linking words and phrases to create a smoother flow between sentences. Paragraphing is present, but the second paragraph is quite long; splitting it into two—perhaps separating the initial collection/sorting from the later industrial processing—would improve the structure and readability of your response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'compressed', 'crushed', 'raw materials', and 'recycling centers'. This is adequate for the task. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise, topic-specific vocabulary and avoid repeating simple words like 'stuff' or 'things'. For example, instead of 'make the air out', you could use 'remove air' or 'decompress'. Your word choice is generally clear, and there are no significant errors that impede communication, but the range is somewhat limited to basic descriptive terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'The figure illustrate' (should be 'illustrates') and 'comprises on' (should be 'comprises' or 'consists of'). Additionally, 'to make the air out' is slightly unnatural phrasing. While these errors are noticeable, they do not prevent the reader from understanding the process. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and refining your use of prepositions. Incorporating a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions (which are ideal for process descriptions), would also help boost your score.

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