Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-16

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 5.5)

The diagram illustrates the nine stages of how the plastic bottles are being recycled.

First, the people in the community needs to segregate the recycled and non-recycled trash, it will then be collected by the garbage trucks and will be delivered to recycling centres where it will go through the sorting process where the workers do it manually.

On the next stage, the plastic bottles will be compressed into large blocks, and will go through the crashing machine where the crushed plastics will be washed and will go through a machine that produces plastic pellets. On the seventh stage, the plastic pellets needs to be heated to form raw materials.

Finally, it will then get packed and will be delivered to factories or shops that produces products that are made out of recycled materials, for example; clothes, plastic bags, pencils, containers and many more that we uses in our daily lives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but it lacks a clear overview or summary of the overall procedure. While the steps are identified, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks the analytical comparison required for a high band score. The response would benefit from grouping the stages more logically (e.g., collection, processing, and manufacturing) rather than simply listing them sequentially. Additionally, the conclusion is a bit abrupt. To improve, ensure you provide a clear summary statement in the introduction that highlights the cyclical nature or the primary purpose of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and basic. Phrases like 'First', 'On the next stage', and 'Finally' are used, but the transition between sentences within paragraphs is often clunky. For instance, the second paragraph is a long, run-on sentence that could be broken down for better flow. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would significantly enhance the coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. Words like 'trash', 'things', and 'many more' are quite informal and generic. There is an attempt to use process-related vocabulary such as 'segregate', 'compressed', and 'pellets', which is positive. However, to reach a higher band, you should incorporate more sophisticated collocations and topic-specific terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'raw materials', 'reprocessed', or 'transformed'. Avoid overly conversational phrasing to maintain an academic tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There are several grammatical errors that affect the fluency of the text. Subject-verb agreement issues are frequent, such as 'people... needs' (should be 'need') and 'pellets needs' (should be 'need'). Additionally, there are punctuation errors, such as the misuse of a semicolon in the final paragraph. The sentence structures are predominantly simple or compound; there is a lack of complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions, which are essential for describing processes effectively. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and varying sentence structure will improve your accuracy and range.

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

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