Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram depicted here describes how the plastic bottles are being recycled, so that our earth is being saved from the most drastic or never degenerated pollutant, the plastic.

The first step in the plastic bottles recycled starts from home. Once the plastic bottles are separated and sorted in the plastic recycle bin, its been collected by the city recycle management team. Then its taken to the sorting facility, were it is being sorted out in the right box from the mixture. Then it is made into blocks by compressing and then these compressed blocks are crushed and made into fine granules. These crushed plastics are washed and sent through the plastic pellet producing machine. Once the pellets are made, its heated to produce the raw material. Now the raw material is ready to be send to different facilities to be reused and produce new materials and products.

This is how plastic is being recycled and thus protecting our earth.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, from collection to the production of raw materials. However, it lacks a clear overview or summary of the process as a whole, which is a key requirement for Task 1. The description is purely sequential and misses the opportunity to highlight the cyclical nature of the process or the key transformations involved. While the main features are identified, the lack of a clear introductory overview and the inclusion of subjective commentary (e.g., 'so that our earth is being saved') detract from the academic tone required for this task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is organised into a logical sequence, following the steps of the diagram. However, the paragraphing is poor; the entire body of the report is contained within a single, dense paragraph. Cohesive devices are used, but they are somewhat repetitive and mechanical, such as the frequent use of 'Then' to start sentences. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'its been collected', where the pronoun 'its' is used incorrectly to refer to the plural 'bottles'. Improved paragraphing and a wider variety of linking words would enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate to describe the process, but it lacks the precision and range expected for a higher band. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice, such as 'never degenerated pollutant' and 'right box from the mixture'. The student relies on basic verbs like 'made', 'sent', and 'taken' rather than more specific technical vocabulary related to industrial processes (e.g., 'processed', 'converted', 'shredded'). Spelling errors, such as 'were' instead of 'where', also slightly impact the overall quality of the lexical presentation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'its been collected', 'its heated') and incorrect pronoun usage. There are also punctuation errors and issues with verb tense consistency. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on basic grammatical accuracy, particularly with possessive pronouns versus contractions, would be highly beneficial.

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