Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-03
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 diagram illustrates the process of recycling plastic bottles from their collection to the production of new items
Overall the recycling process consists of nine stages.It beguns with the collection of used plastic bottles and end with the manufacturing of various new products.During the process the process the bottles are sorted ,compressed ,washed and converted into raw material before being used.
At the first stage people placed plastic bottles in the special recycling bins.These bottels the then collected by the truck and transport to the recycleing center.Then the selected bottels are sorted and compressed into the large blocks.
In the following stages the compressed plastic is crused into small pieces and then washed it .The clean plastic is converted into plastic pellets.Next these pellets are heated to produced raw plastic material. Finally this material is used to manufacture a varity of products including plastic bottels ,T-shirts ,shopping bags,and food containers these products can later be recycled again to continue the recycling process.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response successfully identifies the main stages of the recycling process, from collection to the manufacturing of new products. You have provided a clear overview and followed the sequence of the diagram logically. To reach a higher band, ensure you make more explicit comparisons or highlight the cyclical nature of the process more effectively. While you mention the final products can be recycled again, a more detailed summary of the transformation stages (e.g., the transition from raw material to finished goods) would strengthen the response. Overall, the task is addressed adequately, covering all key features of the provided diagram.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, a brief overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'At the first stage', 'Then', 'In the following stages', and 'Next' to guide the reader. However, the paragraphing is slightly disjointed, and some transitions feel mechanical. Additionally, there are minor issues with referencing, such as the repetitive use of 'the process' in the second paragraph. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the flow and coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'manufacturing', 'compressed', 'converted', and 'raw material'. However, there are several spelling errors throughout the text, such as 'beguns' (begins), 'bottels' (bottles), 'recycleing' (recycling), 'crused' (crushed), and 'varity' (variety). These errors are noticeable but do not significantly impede communication. To improve, focus on proofreading for common spelling mistakes and attempt to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'shredded' instead of 'crushed' or 'processed' instead of 'converted'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses and subject-verb agreement, such as 'people placed' (should be 'place'), 'bottels the then collected' (should be 'bottles are then collected'), and 'washed it' (the 'it' is redundant). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after periods and unnecessary spaces before commas. To improve, focus on maintaining consistent tense usage when describing a process and refining your control over sentence construction to reduce these recurring errors.
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