Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-12

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 7.0)

The diagram shows how plastic bottles are recycled to make new products.

Overall, there are nine main steps in this process, starting with people throwing away plastic bottles and ending with producing new goods from them.

First of all, people throw used plastic bottles into special recycling bins. After that, collection trucks gather the bottles and take them to a recycling plant. When they arrive, workers sort through the plastic by hand to remove trash and non-recyclable items. Next, the sorted bottles are crushed together into big square blocks called bales.

After this stage, the plastic bales are put into a machine that shreds them into tiny pieces. Then, these plastic fragments are washed in water to clean off dirt. Once they are dry, the plastic is heated up until it melts into liquid and turned into small plastic pellets. Finally, these raw pellets are shipped to factories, where they are used to make various items like clothes, bags, pencil cases, and new containers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the recycling process. You have clearly outlined the nine steps, from collection to the production of new goods. The overview is concise and effectively summarizes the entire cycle. To reach a higher band, you could improve the 'comparison' aspect of the task. While you describe the sequence well, you could explicitly highlight the transformation stages, such as the transition from physical waste to raw material (pellets), which is a key feature of the process. Overall, the response is accurate and covers all stages of the diagram logically.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear logical progression. You have used a variety of cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'After that', 'Next', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through the chronological stages of the process. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the initial collection and sorting phases from the later processing and manufacturing phases. The flow is smooth and the relationship between the steps is easy to follow. The use of referencing (e.g., 'these raw pellets', 'the sorted bottles') is precise and helps maintain cohesion throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a process description, such as 'recycling plant', 'non-recyclable', 'shreds', 'fragments', and 'raw pellets'. The language is natural and precise, allowing for clear communication of the technical steps involved. While the vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, it is mostly functional. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated collocations or synonyms to describe the mechanical actions, such as 'compressed' instead of 'crushed' or 'converted' instead of 'turned into'. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The grammar is highly accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used passive voice appropriately for a process description (e.g., 'bottles are crushed', 'fragments are washed'), which is essential for this type of task. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of ideas. The sentences are well-constructed and error-free, showing a strong command of English syntax. The control over complex structures is consistent, making the text very easy to read and understand.

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