Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-01

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 7.0)

The diagram illustrates the process by which plastic bottles are recycled and converted into new product.

Overall, the recycling process consist of nine stages beginning with the disposal of used plastic bottles in the recycling bin and ending with the manufacture of various new products.

At first, the consumer put the used plastic bottles in the recycling bin. These bins are then emptied by the collection trucks and transport the waste to the sorting centers. In sorting centers, only recyclable bottles are sent to the next stage, where bottles are compressed into blocks. After that, there are being crushed into small pieces and go through the process of washing.

Subsequently, the plastic pieces are processed into plastic pellets. These pellets are used to heat the material and melt it for making raw material. Then the raw material is used for the production of various products like containers, bottles and poly bags. These products are recycled again and process continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the recycling process and provides a clear overview. You have covered all parts of the task, from the initial collection to the final production of new goods. The information is logically selected and presented. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the cyclical nature of the process in the overview, as the diagram shows the final products being recycled again. The description of the stages is accurate, though adding more detail regarding the transformation of the material (e.g., the heat treatment) would strengthen the development of your ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. You use cohesive devices such as 'At first,' 'Subsequently,' and 'Then' to guide the reader through the process. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that the connection between the 'raw material' stage and the 'production' stage is more fluid. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different phases of the recycling cycle, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'recycling bin,' 'sorting centers,' and 'raw material' correctly. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'converted into new product' (should be plural 'products') and 'there are being crushed' (which is a grammatical error rather than lexical, but impacts clarity). To improve, try to incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'shredded,' 'processed,' or 'manufactured,' rather than relying on simpler verbs like 'put' or 'go through.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. For example, 'the recycling process consist' should be 'consists' (subject-verb agreement), and 'there are being crushed' is an incorrect passive construction. Additionally, 'the consumer put' should be 'the consumer puts' to maintain consistent tense. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage will significantly improve your accuracy.

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