Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-19

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 7.0)

The diagram illustrates the set of stages for recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, the process is cyclical and consists of nine main stages, beginning with the disposal of a plastic bottle in a waste container and concluding with raw materials being turned into different types of products. The process then repeats itself.

Looking at the first stage of the process, a person disposes their plastic bottle in a waste container then the waste container is lifted by a garbage truck which takes all the trash inside. Subsequently, the trash is then carried to a recycling centre that sorts the items out, checking if they are recyclable or not. Afterwards, the items are compressed into a set of blocks.

The process then continues with the blocks being crushed and then dropped into a container filled with water that washes it. Following this, the crushed items move towards the machine, that transforms them into plastic pellets which is heated to form raw material. Once the raw material is formed, it is then used to produce different type of products, after which the cycle repeats itself.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response successfully covers all stages of the recycling process, from the initial disposal to the final product creation. The overview is clear and identifies the cyclical nature of the process. The information is logically selected and reported, and the main features are highlighted effectively. The response is well-structured and addresses the prompt requirements fully, providing a clear summary of the diagram without unnecessary detail. The inclusion of the 'cyclical' nature of the process demonstrates a good understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Looking at the first stage', 'Subsequently', 'Afterwards', and 'Following this' are used effectively to guide the reader through the stages. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial steps from the later stages of the process. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between the different stages is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task, using terms like 'cyclical', 'disposal', 'compressed', and 'raw material'. However, there is some repetition of basic verbs like 'takes', 'carried', and 'move'. To reach a higher band, the student should aim for more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'transported', 'sorted', 'compacted', or 'processed'. The current range is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, but lacks the sophistication and variety required for a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical slips, such as 'a person disposes their plastic bottle' (should be 'disposes of') and 'the machine, that transforms' (unnecessary comma). Additionally, 'different type of products' should be pluralized to 'different types of products'. While these errors are present, they do not impede communication. The control of complex sentences is generally good, but more variety in sentence structure would improve the overall quality of the writing.

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

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