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 blueprint illustrates the lifecycle process of how plastic bottles are recycled.

Overall, it is evident that the bottle recycling process is divided into 9 major steps, commencing from bottles thrown into garbage collector bucket and ended by producing product. Meanwhile, it has to go through other 7 steps including sorting, compressing, crushing, heating and raw material.

In the beginning, the plastic bottles are collected into the garbage buckets thrown by users. Then after, garbage collector trucks collect that and commute that to recycling center, here bottles are get sorted, where useful bottles are exhibit in correct box and non-useful in cross sign box. Afterwards, the useful bottles are compressed and converted into the blocks.

Then, these blocks are ready for the 5 steps of crushing, and it get crushed into small particles and directly get for the washing. Then in next step, this particle thrown into the machine where plastic pellets are generated. Moreover, this created pellets are get heated at high temperature to formed into raw material, once the raw material ready, eventually, transformed them into the multiple products such as bottles, cloths, containers, bags and pencils which further used by individuals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response covers all stages of the recycling process, from collection to the production of new items. You have successfully identified the main features and provided a clear overview. However, the description of the process is slightly repetitive in its phrasing (e.g., 'Then after', 'Then in next step'). To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview highlights the cyclical nature of the process more effectively and avoid listing every single step in a way that feels like a simple chronological list. The inclusion of the final products is a good touch, but the explanation of the intermediate stages could be more concise to allow for better synthesis of the information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs detailing the process. You use cohesive devices such as 'In the beginning', 'Afterwards', and 'Moreover' to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel mechanical or slightly unnatural, such as 'Then after' and 'Then in next step'. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved by varying the sentence structure rather than relying heavily on 'Then' to start new points. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the recycling lifecycle.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'lifecycle', 'recycling center', 'compressed', and 'particles'. However, there are several instances of awkward word choice and collocation errors, such as 'garbage collector bucket', 'commute that', 'bottles are get sorted', and 'get for the washing'. These errors occasionally distract the reader. To improve, focus on using more precise verbs and nouns related to industrial processes, such as 'transported' instead of 'commute' and 'processed' instead of 'get sorted'. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, but lacks the precision required for a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb forms and passive voice construction (e.g., 'bottles are get sorted', 'this particle thrown', 'this created pellets are get heated', 'to formed into'). These errors are noticeable and occur throughout the text. While you attempt complex sentences, the control over them is inconsistent. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct formation of the passive voice—which is essential for describing processes—will significantly improve your accuracy.

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