Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram shows the complete process of recycling plastic bottles, broken down into 9 main stages.

The process starts with the collection of plastic bottles and end with the creation of new reusable materials and products, demonstrating the systematic nature of recycling.

To begin with, people drop off their used plastic bottles into special recycling bins. A truck then pick these bins and take them to a recycling center. Once they reached center, the workers carefully sort the materials, separating plastic bottles from other waste to ensure that only the correct items move forward in the process.

After sorting, plastic bottles are firstly compressed into giant blocks and then are crushed into smaller pieces to make them easier to handle. These pieces are then washed to remove any dirt, labels or other impurities. The cleaned plastic is turned into small pellets through a pellet producing machine. These pellets are then heated to form raw material. Finally, the step is that raw material is produce new end products such as plastic bottles and clothing.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully covers all stages of the recycling process, from collection to the creation of new products. You have clearly identified the main features and followed the logical sequence of the diagram. The overview provided in the second paragraph is effective, as it highlights the systematic nature of the process. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the 'main features' or 'key trends' in a more analytical way, perhaps by grouping the stages into broader phases (e.g., collection, processing, and manufacturing). Overall, the task is addressed well, and the information is accurate and relevant to the provided diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the beginning to the end of the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction from the body stages. You make good use of cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Once', 'After', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through the steps. However, the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing is always precise. For example, the transition between the final two sentences is slightly abrupt. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner that is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'compressed', 'impurities', and 'raw material'. This is adequate for the task. To improve, try to incorporate more precise, less common vocabulary related to industrial processes. For instance, instead of 'turned into', you could use 'transformed' or 'converted'. There are minor issues with word choice, such as 'pellet producing machine', which could be more naturally phrased as 'pelletizer'. While the current vocabulary is functional and clear, expanding your range of technical collocations would help you achieve a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. For example, 'A truck then pick these bins and take them' should be 'picks' and 'takes' (subject-verb agreement). Additionally, 'Once they reached center' should be 'Once they reach the center'. The phrase 'the step is that raw material is produce' is also grammatically incorrect and should be 'the raw material is used to produce'. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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