Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-18

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 6.5)

The diagram illustrates the process by which plastic bottles are recycled for usage.

Overall, it is a cyclical process that consists of 9 steps, beginning from the disposition of used plastic cans into trash bins and ending with produced products of plastic bottles, plastic plates, plastic bags and clothes.

From the diagram, used plastic bottles are disposed off into a large trash bin, this is then carried by a trash truck to the recycling center where various sorting is carried out on the waste products according to their sizes and shapes. This process is followed by a deep compression of the sorted materials into blocks.

Furthermore, crushing is done by a machine, with a big bowl filled with water underneath to receive the crushed pieces and consequently have it washed. After this phase, the pellets produced goes through another machine to make it more smooth. The smooth plastic pellets produced is made to undergo a heating process to form raw materials. To go further, the raw material produced are arranged properly on a low shelf and use to make plastic bottles, bags, pens and even clothes suitable for human use.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response covers all stages of the recycling process, from collection to the production of new items. You have successfully identified the main features and provided a logical summary. The overview is clear and effectively highlights the cyclical nature of the process. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the specific inputs and outputs at each stage with more precision. While the description is accurate, it could benefit from more analytical language regarding the transition between stages, such as describing the transformation of materials more technically. Overall, the task is well-addressed, and the information is presented in a clear, logical sequence that satisfies the requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. You use cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'After this phase', and 'To go further' to guide the reader through the steps. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be more balanced. For instance, the second body paragraph is quite dense compared to the first. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing (e.g., 'this', 'it') is always unambiguous would enhance the flow. The progression of ideas is clear throughout, making the text easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'disposition', 'compression', and 'raw materials' appropriately. There are some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'disposed off' (should be 'disposed of') and 'produced products' (which is redundant). You attempt to use descriptive language, but some phrasing is slightly repetitive. To improve, focus on using more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'shredded' instead of 'crushed' or 'processed' instead of 'made to undergo'. The vocabulary used is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While many sentences are clear, there are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as subject-verb agreement errors (e.g., 'the pellets produced goes' should be 'go', and 'the raw material produced are' should be 'is'). Additionally, there are minor punctuation and preposition errors, such as 'disposed off' and missing articles in some places. Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear, and the grammar does not significantly impede understanding. To achieve a higher score, focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and ensuring consistent use of articles when referring to specific stages of the process.

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

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