Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-27
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)
The diagram mentioned in the question shows the process of recycling plastic bottles which are the key elements that pollutes the environment and recycling these can make significant changes in the overall atmosphere we are living in.
As the bottles are thrown in the dustbin the wastes are later collected by the trucks managed by the local government. The truck takes the load to the recycling centre where the sorting and compressing those plastic bottles into blocks takes place. This process leads them to the crushing and washing out the waste and then turning these into raw materials for many products which can be used by us later in the marketplace.
The plastic wastes can be turned into beautiful products such as bags, jars or even clothes for our use which not only benefits us financially but also makes the atmosphere less affected by the dangers of plastic materials. This is a great initiative all in all.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response provides an overview of the recycling process, but it fails to meet the requirements of an Academic Task 1 report. Instead of objectively describing the stages shown in the diagram, the response includes subjective commentary, such as 'pollutes the environment' and 'great initiative'. These personal opinions are not required and detract from the analytical nature of the task. Furthermore, the description of the process is somewhat vague; it misses key technical details present in typical recycling diagrams, such as the specific stages of cleaning, shredding, and pelletizing. To improve, focus strictly on reporting the data or process steps without adding personal value judgments or external opinions.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is organized into three paragraphs, which provides a basic structure. However, the logical progression is hindered by the inclusion of subjective commentary. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'As the bottles are thrown' and 'This process leads them to', but the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, but the transition between the description of the process and the final paragraph regarding the benefits of recycling is abrupt. To achieve a higher band, ensure that each paragraph focuses exclusively on a specific aspect of the diagram and use a wider variety of linking words to connect the stages of the process more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. Phrases like 'washing out the waste' and 'turning these into raw materials' are functional but basic. There is an attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'recycling centre' and 'compressing', which is good. However, the tone is slightly informal due to the inclusion of personal opinions. To improve, focus on using more precise technical terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'shredded', 'processed', 'converted', or 'manufactured', and avoid colloquial expressions that are not suitable for an academic report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'the key elements that pollutes' (subject-verb agreement) and 'sorting and compressing those plastic bottles... takes place' (awkward phrasing). While the meaning is generally clear, these errors occur frequently enough to cause some minor distraction. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensure that complex sentences are constructed with correct relative clauses and prepositional phrases. Proofreading for small errors in articles and verb forms will help increase the accuracy of your writing.
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