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: disposal, transportation, selection, manufacturing into raw plastic material and finally contruct into new products.
Once the plastic bottles are thrown in a designated recycling bin, they get transported to the recycling centre by recycling trucks, where plastics are organised into different grades. 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 to remove impurities. Following by the cleaning process, these clean plastic pellets undergo a machine, in which the thinner pellets are ready to melt from a base.
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 designs through a variety of manufacturing industries, including clothing, stationery, bags, bottles and boxes.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, from collection to the production of new goods. However, the summary is slightly inaccurate in its opening, as it describes the process as 'constructing' plastic bottles rather than 'recycling' them. While the key stages are identified, the description of the process is occasionally vague, such as 'it can be crushed' or 'undergo a machine', which lacks the precision required for a high band. To improve, ensure you clearly link the stages shown in the diagram to the specific actions described, avoiding ambiguous phrasing that obscures the technical nature of the process.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. The progression of ideas follows the chronological flow of the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'Once', 'After that', 'Following by', and 'At this stage' are used to guide the reader through the process. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical or grammatically awkward, such as 'Following by the cleaning process', which should be 'Following the cleaning process'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the collection/processing stages from the final manufacturing stage, contributing to a clear overall structure.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'designated recycling bin', 'impurities', and 'raw material' used correctly. However, there are some instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'contruct' (a spelling error) and 'massive liquid-filled tank', which sounds slightly informal. The phrase 'ready to melt from a base' is also unclear in its meaning. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes and ensure accurate spelling throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader, such as 'contruct into new products' (should be 'constructed into'), 'Following by the cleaning process' (incorrect prepositional phrase), and 'At the end, the raw material-plastic, is transformed' (awkward punctuation). While the meaning remains clear, these errors indicate a lack of consistent control over complex structures. Increasing the variety of error-free complex sentences and proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and preposition usage would significantly improve the score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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