Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the whole process for recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, it shows nine different steps for recycling process. The process start from collecting waste plastic bottles from dustbins and at the end it used to make a variety of daily life products.

Initially, authorities collect any type of plastic bottles from the installed waste containers then they load this material into the waste collection trucks, then in the recycling center, a person sort out the bottles from this waste and threw them into a machine which compress the plastic into distinct blocks, moreover, at the next step, a crushing machine crushed the blocks into tinny particles.

After that, a tub is used to collect and wash these small particles. Then a compressor is used to make pellets from these powder like plastic. At next, they apply heat to these pellets so they can become a raw material for final production process. Ultimately, they produce many useful products from this raw material such as plastic bottles, meal boxes and shopping bags etc.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main features of the recycling process. You have covered all stages from collection to the production of final goods, which is a key requirement for Task 1. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the process. To reach a higher band, ensure that you focus more on the 'comparison' aspect of the prompt, perhaps by grouping stages or highlighting the transformation of the material more explicitly. The description is accurate and follows the logical flow of the diagram, demonstrating a clear understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding overview. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'initially', 'after that', 'then', and 'ultimately' to guide the reader through the process. However, some of the transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive. The paragraphing is appropriate, separating the initial collection stages from the later processing stages. To improve, try to vary your sentence starters and use more sophisticated linking phrases to connect the stages of the process more fluidly rather than relying on a sequence of 'then' or 'after that'.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'recycling center', 'compress', 'pellets', and 'raw material'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'threw them into a machine' (which is informal) and 'tinny particles' (likely a misspelling of 'tiny'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the precision and sophistication required for a higher band. To improve, focus on using more precise technical verbs and avoiding informal phrasing. Expanding your range of synonyms for 'process' or 'stages' would also be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'The process start' (subject-verb agreement), 'a person sort out' (should be 'sorts'), and 'at the end it used to make' (missing passive voice 'is used'). Additionally, there are punctuation issues, such as run-on sentences where multiple clauses are joined by commas rather than full stops or semicolons. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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