Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-25

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 given figure illustrates how we can reuse the plastic which is thrown as waste.

Initially, plastic is discarded in bin which is then sorted and further compressed. After that it is compressed then crushed . Further it appears as raw material and can be transformed into new materials.

In the given figure, firstly plastic waste is discarded . Afterward a waste collecting truck came which collects all the plastic waste. This truck carries this waste in the factory. This is the place where actual recycling process starts. Worker sort the waste by keeping caps and plastic bottles in different boxes. Further this waste is crushed by heavy hydraulic presses into small cubes. These cubes are further crushed by large rollers and after that this crushed plastic is washed, so that all the waste or dirt which was on the plastic is cleaned. Now the crushed plastic is passed through further heavy grinders so that it is converted into pallets. Pallets are then heated to form raw material. This raw material is then transformed into the daily using products and hence this same cycle circulates again and again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, from collection to the production of raw materials. However, the overview is weak; it repeats information rather than synthesising the key features of the process. The introduction is somewhat redundant, and the description of the process is a bit repetitive, particularly regarding the crushing stages. To reach a higher band, you should provide a clearer summary of the overall process in the introduction and ensure that each step is described once with precision, rather than restating actions like 'crushed' multiple times.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hampered by repetition. While you use some cohesive devices like 'Initially', 'Afterward', and 'Further', the transition between the introductory paragraph and the body paragraph is disjointed, as the same information is repeated in both. The paragraphing is also slightly unbalanced, with a very short opening section. Improving the logical progression by avoiding the restatement of the same steps would significantly enhance the coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the process clearly. You use some relevant technical terms such as 'hydraulic presses', 'grinders', and 'pallets'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic verbs like 'discarded', 'collected', and 'transformed'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to industrial processes and avoid repetitive phrasing. The word choice is functional but lacks the sophistication required for higher band scores.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'daily using products' (should be 'everyday products' or 'consumer goods') and 'worker sort' (should be 'workers sort'). Additionally, there are minor punctuation and tense inconsistencies, such as 'truck came' (should be 'truck comes' to maintain the present tense used for describing processes). While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more consistent control over subject-verb agreement and word formation.

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