Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-04
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 recycling process of the plastic bottles. The process contain nine steps with each step is very important.
Starting from throwing plastic bottles into the bin that are specific for plastic. Then, the vans collected that plastic waste from the bins and take it to recycling centers.
In recycling centers, the plastic waste is sorted depending upon it can be compressed or not. The next step is compressing the plastic into giant blocks. These huge blocks undergo the process of crushing to become very small particles. Which are then washed to remove any dirt from them.
After the washing is completed, the small particles went into a plastic pallet making machine to produce plastic pellets. When these pellets are formed, they are heated to form raw material. That raw material is used to produce end plastic products such as plastic stationary, clothes, boxes and bottles.
When these products become waste, after using, they are thrown in plastic bins. Thus, the cycle continues.
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 covers all stages of the recycling process, from collection to the production of new items. However, the overview is somewhat weak; it simply states there are nine steps rather than highlighting the cyclical nature of the process or the key transformation stages. While the main features are reported, the description is a bit mechanical, following the diagram step-by-step without grouping information effectively to show a clear overview. To improve, you should aim to synthesize the information more, perhaps by grouping the stages into 'collection', 'processing', and 'manufacturing' phases, which would provide a more analytical summary of the process.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized logically, following the chronological order of the process. Paragraphing is used to separate the different stages, which helps the reader follow the flow. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and basic (e.g., 'Then', 'The next step', 'After the washing is completed'). Some sentences are fragmented or lack smooth transitions, such as 'Which are then washed...', which is a sentence fragment. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that sentences are connected more fluidly would enhance the coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the reader to understand the process. You use some relevant terms like 'compressed', 'recycling centers', and 'raw material'. However, the range is limited and there are some awkward collocations, such as 'plastic stationary' (stationery) and 'plastic pallet making machine' (likely referring to pellets). The repetition of the word 'plastic' throughout the text is noticeable. To reach a higher band, try to use more precise terminology and synonyms to avoid repetition and demonstrate a more sophisticated control of vocabulary.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
There is a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but accuracy is inconsistent. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('The process contain') and incorrect verb tenses ('small particles went into', 'are collected'). Additionally, there are punctuation and sentence structure errors, such as starting a sentence with 'Which are then washed...' and 'That raw material is used...'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to lower the score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and avoiding sentence fragments will significantly improve your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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