Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-07

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 figure illustrates the stages for constructing plastic bottles that are recycled.

Overall, used plastic bottles experience several manufacturing steps to make fresh polyester products, including clothing, stationery, bottles and boxes.

Once the plastic bottles are thrown in recycling bin, they get transported to the recycling centre by trucks, where plastics are organised into different quality. After that, the selected ones are packed into cubes using pressure. Up to this point, it can be crushed through the cutting machines. The plastic pieces and fragments soon fall into a massive liquid-filled tank for washing. As soon as these clean plastic pellets pour into a machine, thinner pellets are ready to get heated from the ground.

At this stage, raw material is formed. It is then sorted into layers and secured using some ropes. At the end, the raw material-plastic, is transformed into various goods with different decorative designsthrough manufacturing industires

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While the report covers the main stages of the recycling process, the description is somewhat superficial. The overview is present but lacks detail regarding the cyclical nature of the process. Some steps, such as the transition from 'raw material' to 'goods', are described vaguely, and the connection between the stages could be more clearly articulated to ensure all parts of the task are fully developed. To improve, ensure you meet the length requirement and provide a more comprehensive summary of the key stages shown in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Once', 'After that', and 'At this stage' are used to sequence the steps. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel slightly forced. The referencing is generally clear, though the connection between the final stage and the initial collection could be strengthened to provide a more cohesive summary of the entire cycle. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and body of the process.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing for a basic description of the recycling process. There are some attempts at topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'manufacturing steps', 'raw material', and 'recycling centre'. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'constructing plastic bottles' (the diagram shows recycling, not construction) and 'industires' (spelling error). The range is somewhat limited, and the response would benefit from more precise terminology related to industrial processes to reach a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'designsthrough' (missing space), 'manufacturing industires' (spelling), and 'get heated from the ground' (unclear phrasing). The use of passive voice is appropriate for a process description, but the control over complex structures is inconsistent. Improving the accuracy of sentence construction and proofreading for minor errors would significantly enhance the quality of the writing.

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

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