Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The Given Diagram Demonstrate recycle of plastic bottles in the nine different stages from throughing out bottle in dustbin to crushing raw material and at last production of different products
One the first side in the first step worker of cleaning company collect plastic bottles from dustbin to garbage truck and after that reached at recycling centre sorting process of separation good quality and bad quality of plastic and then put all mixture in compressing into blocks after compression put it into crushing cutters into container where small particles washed
After Washing Process putting all of this mixture in to machine to produce plastic pellets and then this whole mixture into heating pellets to form raw material and after this make base of plastic at last process making different products like clothes pencils bottles lunch box tshirt and polythene bag
Overall Total 9 different process take to recycle plastic
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the task by describing the recycling process, but it fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words. While the main stages are identified, the description lacks sufficient detail and analytical depth. The overview is very brief and does not effectively highlight the key features or the cyclical nature of the process. Because the response is under-length, the development of ideas is limited, and the summary is somewhat superficial. To improve, ensure all steps are described with more precision and provide a more comprehensive overview that synthesizes the information rather than just listing the steps.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay lacks clear paragraphing, which makes the progression of ideas difficult to follow. The text is essentially one long block, which hinders readability. While there is a basic attempt to sequence the steps using phrases like 'In the first step' and 'After washing process', the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and repetitive. There is a lack of variety in linking words, and the transition between the stages is often abrupt. To improve, organize the response into clear paragraphs (e.g., an introduction, two body paragraphs for the process stages, and an overview) and use a wider range of cohesive devices to connect sentences more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms such as 'process', 'mixture', and 'different'. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and incorrect word choices, such as 'throughing out' instead of 'throwing out' and 'on the first side' which is not appropriate for describing a process diagram. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to convey the technical nature of the recycling process with precision. To improve, focus on using more specific terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'sorting', 'compressing', 'shredding', and 'manufacturing', and work on improving collocations to sound more natural.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of information. There are significant issues with sentence structure, including run-on sentences and missing articles (e.g., 'at last process making different products'). Subject-verb agreement and verb tense consistency are also problematic; for instance, 'The Given Diagram Demonstrate' should be 'The given diagram demonstrates'. The range of grammatical structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences with some awkward attempts at complex ones. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, ensure correct subject-verb agreement, and practice using a wider variety of complex structures with greater accuracy.
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