Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-31

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)

This pictorial representation shows the process for recycling water bottles with clear instructions, easily understandable pictures and sequence .

First picture shows the basic process where garbage is being thrown by a person . Consequently, after being taken to the recycling center by a garbage tuck, the garbage is being sorted . Afterwards, the plastic water bottles are compressed together to form blocks and then these blocks are crushed by a crusher .The crushed pieces are then cleaned as shown in the picture and then produced into plastic pellets by a machine . At number seven picture, the pellets are heated and converted into raw material. The direction to the next picture is shown by two arrows representing various goods and items like plastic bottles , plastic bags and plastic clothes. These items and goods are then being thrown to the garbage after being used -completing the whole cycle .

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 new items. However, the overview is weak; it describes the diagram itself rather than summarizing the key features of the process. The description is somewhat mechanical, listing steps sequentially (e.g., 'First picture', 'At number seven picture') rather than synthesizing the information into a cohesive report. To improve, you should avoid referring to the 'pictures' or 'numbers' and instead focus on the flow of the process itself. The conclusion effectively captures the cyclical nature of the process, which is a positive feature.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, following the chronological order of the recycling process. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'Consequently', 'Afterwards', and 'then' to link the stages. However, the paragraphing is insufficient; the entire body of the report is contained in a single paragraph, which makes it harder to read. Dividing the process into two logical stages—such as the collection/sorting phase and the manufacturing/recycling phase—would significantly improve the structure. Additionally, some referencing is slightly repetitive, relying heavily on 'the picture' or 'the garbage'.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the process clearly. You use some relevant technical terms like 'compressed', 'crushed', and 'pellets'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic verbs like 'thrown' and 'produced'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'transformed', 'manufactured', or 'reprocessed'. There are no significant spelling errors, and the word choices do not impede communication, but the overall lexical variety is restricted.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'garbage is being thrown by a person' (passive voice is used, but the phrasing is slightly unnatural) and 'garbage tuck' (a spelling error). The use of the present continuous passive ('is being sorted') is consistent, but it becomes repetitive. To improve, try to vary your sentence structure by using more active voice or different types of subordinate clauses. Punctuation is generally functional, though there are some spacing issues before commas and periods.

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