Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-09
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 rendered diagram illustrates the information about complete process of reclaiming plastic bottles
Looking at diagram in more details, it may infer that in the very first step plastic bottle is thrown by people in garbage following this, then in second step the garbage truck collects the bottles from that box. Moreover, then in third step the collection reaches recycling centre for sorting and in fourth step these bottle are then compressed into blocks. Furthermore, in fifth step bottles are crushed and filtered into water.
Turning towards the rest of the details , it can be clearly seen that in sixth step crushed bottles are converted into plastic pellets and in seventh step these pellets are heated to produce raw material. Therefore, in second last step produced raw material is packed in large boxes. Finally, in last step the raw material is used for making of many different products such as pencil, lunch box and clothes.
Looking from an overall prospective, it is readily apparent that recycling of plastic bottles have to go through nine different steps however, the first step step start from customer and end at making different products ny industries.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all stages of the process, from the initial collection to the final product manufacturing. However, the description is somewhat mechanical, relying on a step-by-step list format (e.g., 'in first step', 'in second step') rather than a more integrated, analytical summary. While the main features are identified, the response lacks a clear synthesis of the process. The overview provided at the end is a bit repetitive, merely restating the number of steps rather than highlighting the cyclical nature or the transformation of materials. To improve, focus on grouping related stages together to create a more cohesive narrative flow.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into three paragraphs, which is appropriate for this task. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite repetitive and mechanical. Phrases like 'in first step', 'in second step', 'in third step', and 'in fourth step' are used excessively, which makes the writing feel like a list rather than a coherent report. While the progression of ideas is logical, the reliance on these repetitive markers hinders the flow. Using a wider variety of linking words and transition phrases would significantly improve the readability and sophistication of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'reclaiming plastic bottles' (recycling is more standard) and 'in the very first step plastic bottle is thrown by people'. The word choice is quite basic, and there is a lack of technical or descriptive vocabulary related to industrial processes. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology, such as 'processed', 'manufactured', 'transformed', or 'raw materials', and avoid repeating the same sentence structures.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Issues include missing articles (e.g., 'Looking at diagram', 'in last step'), subject-verb agreement errors (e.g., 'recycling of plastic bottles have to go through'), and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'it may infer that'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are persistent throughout the text. To improve, focus on mastering basic article usage and ensuring that subjects and verbs agree. Additionally, try to vary sentence structure to avoid the repetitive 'in [x] step' pattern.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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