Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-08

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 given diagram illustrates the information about the various stage included by the method of recreating plastic bottles.

When people throw wastage plastic garbage in dustbin, authorities collect rubbish from there and deport to recycling centre, where workers distribute garbage in different section according to its characteristics. Then big heavy machine compresses it into block and moves forward to the crushing machine. It cuts into small particles and lead to wash it to remove impurities from it.

The process moves forward to producing plastic pallets from machine where it dried and melted to create raw material. Once raw material becomes ready, it is required to made different types of things such as bottles, boxes, containers, cloths and bags. People use these things and throw it in dustbin when it is not useful, and this cycle continue to move in loop.

Overall, the process of making plastic and its recycle contain several stages in whole journey.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, from collection to the production of new items. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the cyclical nature of the process beyond a brief mention in the final sentence. While the key features are identified, the report would benefit from a more analytical approach, such as grouping the stages into logical phases (e.g., collection, processing, and manufacturing). The summary is functional but lacks the depth required for a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical, relying heavily on simple transitions like 'Then' and 'Once'. The progression of ideas is logical, but the connection between sentences could be smoother. For example, the transition between the collection phase and the manufacturing phase is abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring better flow between steps would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and sophistication. There are several instances of awkward word choices, such as 'wastage plastic garbage' instead of 'plastic waste' and 'deport' instead of 'transport'. The phrase 'recreating plastic bottles' is also imprecise; 'recycling' or 'reprocessing' would be more accurate. While the student attempts to use process-related vocabulary like 'compresses', 'crushing', and 'melted', the overall range is limited, and some collocations are unnatural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'various stage included by the method' (should be 'stages involved in the process'), 'lead to wash it' (should be 'is washed'), and 'it is required to made' (should be 'it is used to make'). Subject-verb agreement and article usage are inconsistent throughout the text. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents a higher score.

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

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