Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-30

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 5.5)

The given diagram illustrates the process of recycling plastic bottles .

There are many process and after that plastic bottle is recycleit begins with the initial collection of plastic waste and culminates in the production of new material .

Firstly plastic bottle is collected in a dustbin , then it transport to recycling center where waste material are re cycling after that it is sort into small peices , later it compress into a small block through a. Machiner ,then a block is crushing into a machine and wash into a big container after that it produce a plastic pellets , then heating pallets and form a new raw material and it give a new products such as plastic bottles and clothing . These are the process of recycling the process of plastic bottles .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While the student identifies the main stages of the recycling process, the description is overly simplistic and lacks the necessary detail to fully convey the technical nature of the diagram. The overview is weak and repetitive, and the response does not effectively highlight the key comparisons or the cyclical nature of the process. To improve, the student should aim to expand on each stage of the process with more descriptive language and ensure the response meets the minimum length requirement to allow for a full development of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay uses basic cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'then', and 'after that', but these are used repetitively and mechanically, creating a disjointed flow. The paragraphing is inadequate; the response is essentially one long, run-on paragraph, which hinders the logical progression of the information. There is a lack of sophisticated linking words or referencing to connect the stages of the process smoothly. To achieve a higher band, the student should focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and organizing the information into distinct, logical paragraphs (e.g., an introduction, a body paragraph for the initial stages, and a body paragraph for the final stages).

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'process', 'plastic', and 'machine'. There are several errors in word formation and usage, such as 're cycling' instead of 'recycled' and 'peices' instead of 'pieces'. The student struggles to use precise terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'crushing' or 'pelletizing'. To improve, the student should expand their vocabulary to include more specific verbs and nouns related to manufacturing and recycling, and pay closer attention to spelling and word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The grammatical range is very limited, consisting mostly of simple, error-prone sentences. There are frequent errors in subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'plastic bottle is collected', 'waste material are re cycling') and article usage. Punctuation is also problematic, with inconsistent capitalization and unnecessary periods mid-sentence. The lack of complex sentence structures prevents the student from demonstrating control over more advanced grammar. To improve, the student needs to practice basic sentence construction, ensure subject-verb agreement, and work on incorporating complex structures like passive voice, which is essential for describing processes.

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