Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

There is a pictorial representation of how to recycle plastic bottles. the process includes 9 main steps. from dumping the bottles in the trash can to creating useful things out of it.

Initially you put the plastic waste into to specific garbage trunk for recycled objects.

later the truck take all the thrown out items to the recycling centre where these objects are sorted out on the base of their condition.

After that the plastic waste is compressed into blocks, that is further crushed into small pieces. these small fragments of plastic are washed and subsequently proceed through a machine that transform them into small pallets. afterwards raw pallets are retreated to yield other advantageous things for example pencils, reusable bags, garments, food containers and bottles.

overall the process includes several steps though the outcome is worthy enough. this is an efficient way of reusing plastic material. As plastic already a major issue worldwide.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have successfully identified the main stages of the recycling process, from collection to the production of new items. However, the response lacks a clear overview or summary of the process as a whole, which is essential for a high band score in Task 1. While you mention the steps, you do not highlight the key features or the cyclical nature of the process effectively. To improve, ensure you provide a concise summary paragraph that synthesizes the information rather than just listing steps. The inclusion of personal opinions at the end is not required for Academic Task 1 and should be avoided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow is somewhat mechanical. You use some cohesive devices like 'initially', 'later', and 'afterwards', but the transitions between sentences feel a bit disjointed. The paragraphing is also inconsistent; the final paragraph is very short and contains an opinion that does not fit the structure of a report. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus. Avoid starting sentences with lowercase letters, as this affects the overall readability and professional tone of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the process clearly. You use some relevant terms such as 'compressed', 'crushed', and 'recycling centre'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'garbage trunk' (likely meaning 'truck') and 'retreated' (likely meaning 'reprocessed'). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and you rely on simple phrasing. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes and ensure your word choices are contextually accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation throughout the text. You often fail to capitalize the first letter of sentences (e.g., 'the process', 'from dumping', 'these small fragments'). There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and article usage, such as 'the truck take' instead of 'the truck takes' and 'on the base of' instead of 'based on'. While you attempt some complex structures, they are often marred by these errors. Focusing on basic sentence construction, punctuation, and proofreading for subject-verb agreement will significantly improve your score.

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