Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

This a diagram that illustrates recycling of plastic bottles in nine steps beginning with disposal of waste and ending with

Task-1

The given diagram illustrates, the process of plastic bottles being recycled.

Overall, the process involves several stages, beginning with disposal of waste and ending with production of final recycled products.

In the initial stage, the plastic waste is disposed off in a public bin that is further collected by a garbage truck and taken to a recycling centre, during this step sorting of plastic water bottles and other waste is done. In the next stage, the plastic bottle is compressed into blocks with a machine and crushing takes place where two metal blades chopping off the plastic into tiny particles that is further collected in a water champer where the material is washed. After that, the clean material is transferred to a machine that produces plastic pellets. Subsequently, the pellet is then heated to form a raw material and from this material the final end products like t-shirts, pencils, tiffins, bottles etcetra are prepared to be packed and ready to use.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all stages of the recycling process, from the initial collection to the final product manufacturing. The overview is clear and identifies the main stages of the process. However, the description is somewhat linear and lacks a more analytical approach to the 'comparison' aspect of the task. While the steps are accurately reported, the response could be improved by grouping stages more effectively to highlight the transformation of the material. The inclusion of an introductory sentence that was later repeated suggests a lack of final proofreading, which slightly affects the overall professional presentation of the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, following the chronological order of the diagram. Paragraphing is used to separate the introduction from the body, though the body paragraph is quite long and could have been split for better readability. Cohesive devices such as 'In the initial stage', 'In the next stage', and 'Subsequently' are used to guide the reader through the process. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be smoother. The repetition of the introductory sentence at the very beginning of the text creates a disjointed start, which impacts the overall flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'compressed', 'chopping', 'particles', and 'raw material' used correctly to describe the process. There are some minor errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'champer' (chamber) and 'etcetra' (etc.). The range is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, but there is limited use of more sophisticated or precise collocations that would elevate the response to a higher band. The vocabulary is functional but lacks the flexibility and precision required for a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical slips, such as 'disposed off' (should be 'disposed of') and 'the pellet is then heated' (referring to plural pellets). Punctuation is generally acceptable, though some sentences are slightly run-on, such as the description of the crushing stage. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. The control over complex structures is present but not entirely consistent.

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

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