Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

this illustration show that the diagram how to recycle bottle and some extra wasting items firstly i discuss on the first section people through up waste plastic items in dust bin then the truck have arrived and pickup extra materials then the next section of sorting its mean those people doing work in factory they seprated bottle and compress it next section of crushing bottle are crushed up and washed the next section of raw material it mean which bottle had crushed those again re design and re furnishing and make it again. furhermore

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, reaching only 94 words. This significantly impacts the task achievement, as the description of the process is underdeveloped and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the stages shown in the diagram. While the student identifies the main stages—collection, sorting, crushing, and reprocessing—the explanation is superficial. There is no clear overview of the process, and the lack of length prevents a comprehensive summary of the information. To improve, the student must expand on each stage of the process, providing more descriptive detail and ensuring the response meets the required length.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The response lacks paragraphing and clear logical progression. While there is a chronological attempt using words like 'firstly', 'next', and 'furthermore', the text is essentially a single run-on block of sentences. The lack of punctuation, particularly between distinct steps in the process, makes the text difficult to follow. Cohesive devices are used in a very mechanical and repetitive way. To achieve a higher score, the student should organize the information into distinct paragraphs (e.g., an introduction, a body paragraph for the collection/sorting, and a body paragraph for the processing/re-manufacturing) and use a wider variety of linking words to connect ideas more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive. The student relies on simple verbs like 'doing', 'make', and 'have', which do not demonstrate the range required for an Academic Task 1 response. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'wasting items' instead of 'waste materials' and 'through up' instead of 'throw away'. The vocabulary is insufficient to describe a technical process accurately. To improve, the student should learn and use topic-specific vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'recycling facility', 'compressed', 'shredded', 'raw material', and 'manufactured'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The grammatical control is weak, with frequent errors that impede readability. There is a lack of proper sentence structure, with many run-on sentences and missing punctuation. Subject-verb agreement is inconsistent, such as 'this illustration show' instead of 'shows' and 'truck have arrived' instead of 'the truck arrives'. The use of tenses is also problematic, as the student mixes present and past forms inappropriately for a process description. The response lacks complex sentence structures, relying entirely on simple, poorly constructed clauses. Significant focus on basic sentence construction and punctuation is required.

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