Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-06

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 given diagram illustrates , how the plastic bottles are recycling .

Overall ,it is a lining process , where plastic bottles are converted into another item . Plastic bottles are recycle in this process .

Plastic bottles are collected into a dustbin ,then it transport into a recycling center , after that it sort out into a pieces ,with the help of machine it flatten into a blocks and another process is of crushing a block into a pieces with the help of machinery , it wash into a glass container , later plastic pellets are producing through a machine ,afterwards heating pellets is converted into raw material with the help of appliances , later new products are formed in the form of plastics bottle , polythenes , pencils and finally it is transported into a market . It is a lining process , it can recycle again .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, but the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the process flow. While you mention it is a 'lining process' (likely meaning linear), the explanation of the stages is repetitive and lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band. You have identified the key steps, such as collection, sorting, crushing, and manufacturing, but the connection between these stages is not fully developed. To improve, ensure you group related steps logically and provide a more cohesive summary of the entire cycle rather than listing steps in a simple, repetitive sequence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organized into very short, fragmented paragraphs that hinder the flow of information. While you use some cohesive devices like 'then', 'after that', and 'later', they are used in a repetitive and mechanical way, which makes the text feel like a list rather than a coherent report. The paragraphing is ineffective, as the main body is essentially one long, run-on sentence structure. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and organize your response into clear, distinct paragraphs: one for the introduction/overview and two for the process stages.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You frequently use basic verbs like 'is' or 'are' and rely on simple terms such as 'process' and 'machine'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'sort out into a pieces' and 'it wash into a glass container', which are inaccurate. To achieve a higher score, you need to use more precise vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'shredded', 'compressed', 'transformed', or 'manufactured', and ensure that your word forms (e.g., 'recycling' vs 'recycled') are used correctly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The grammar is characterized by frequent errors in sentence structure, verb tense, and subject-verb agreement. For example, 'plastic bottles are recycling' should be 'are recycled', and 'it transport' should be 'it is transported'. Many sentences are run-on or lack proper punctuation, making the text difficult to follow. There is a lack of complex sentence structures; most of your sentences are simple or poorly connected. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct passive voice usage for process descriptions, and using punctuation to separate distinct ideas.

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

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