Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-05

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 5.0)

The process diagram illustrates cycle of how plastic bottles are recycled by 9 stages.

Overall, it starts with dropping bottles into recycling bin. When the final way is already done, these products are available for customers to use and the cycle continuous.

When the litters, which is thrown away, are then derived to recycling centre by its car. Subsequently, they are distinguished sort by sort. In the fourth step, the sorted drops are compressed by factory machine and the bottles are still remained plastic.

In the fifth stage, as the way to crush it starts, the bottles are ready for producing with washing them. The crushed bottles are turned into produced plastic pellets which is available to the next stage of boiling pellets to form raw material. Finally, the raw material is created the products such as bottles, containers, clothes and recycling items. Afterwards, the cycle goes on chronological order.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response provides a basic overview of the recycling process, but it fails to clearly identify or describe the key stages in a logical, step-by-step manner. While it mentions the beginning and end of the cycle, the middle stages are described in a confusing way, such as 'distinguished sort by sort' and 'ready for producing with washing them'. The description lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the process, and the summary of the stages is somewhat inaccurate. To improve, you should focus on clearly outlining each step of the diagram in a logical sequence, ensuring that the transition between stages is easy for the reader to follow.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, which is a positive start. However, the logical flow is often interrupted by awkward phrasing and unclear references. For example, the phrase 'When the final way is already done' is confusing and does not effectively link to the previous sentence. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Subsequently' and 'Finally', but they are sometimes used incorrectly or in a way that makes the text feel mechanical. The progression of ideas is not always smooth, making it difficult for the reader to follow the recycling process from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and often imprecise. Phrases like 'distinguished sort by sort' and 'ready for producing with washing them' are unnatural and do not accurately describe the technical steps of a recycling process. There is also a reliance on basic vocabulary, and some word choices are incorrect, such as 'litters' (which is uncountable) and 'derived' (which is used incorrectly here). To reach a higher band, you need to use more precise, topic-specific vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'sorted', 'compressed', 'shredded', or 'manufactured'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the cycle continuous'), incorrect use of articles, and awkward sentence structures (e.g., 'the raw material is created the products'). The range of grammatical structures is limited, and attempts at complex sentences often result in errors. You should focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct verb tenses, and improving your use of articles and prepositions to ensure your writing is more accurate and readable.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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