Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-10

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 process diagram illustrates how plastic bottles are recycled.

Overall, the process is clyclic and consists of nine stages, beginning with the collecting of plastic bottles and ending with the procuding new products.

First of all, the discarded plastic bottles are collected in a bin. After that, they are transported by lorry to a recycling center where they are sorted in two boxes based on their qualities. This sorted bottles are then compressed to make a square block. Subsequently, this block is crushed to produce the small pieces of the plastic. Next, the crushed pieces are washed to remove dust from them.

In the next stage, the washed pieces are passed through a machine which produces plastic pelletes. This plastic pelletes are then heated and transferred to the next stage as a raw material. Following this, it is used to produce different new products. Finally, the products passes through the first step again after being used in distinct purposes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the recycling process and provides a clear overview. You have covered all the key steps from collection to the production of new items. The information is logically presented, and the cyclic nature of the process is correctly highlighted in the introduction. To reach a higher band, ensure that you focus more on the 'comparison' aspect of the task; for instance, you could describe the transformation of the material more explicitly as it moves from raw bottles to pellets and finally to new products. Overall, the response is accurate and fulfills the requirements of the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a logical progression of steps. You have used a variety of cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'After that', 'Subsequently', and 'Following this' to guide the reader through the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial collection and sorting stages from the later processing and manufacturing stages. The flow of ideas is smooth and easy to follow throughout the text, which demonstrates a good command of organizational structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'compressed', 'crushed', 'raw material', and 'cyclic'. However, there are some minor errors in word formation and spelling, such as 'clyclic' (cyclic), 'procuding' (producing), and 'pelletes' (pellets). These errors do not impede communication, but they do prevent the response from reaching a higher band. To improve, focus on proofreading for spelling and ensuring that word forms (e.g., noun vs. verb) are used correctly in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'This sorted bottles' (should be 'These sorted bottles') and 'This plastic pelletes' (should be 'These plastic pellets'). Additionally, there is a subject-verb agreement error in 'the products passes' (should be 'the products pass'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not significantly impede the reader's understanding of the process. Increasing the variety of complex structures and ensuring subject-verb agreement would help improve your score.

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

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