Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-21

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 process of recycling used plastic bottles.

Overall, there are main nine steps for the plastic bottle recycling process. The process starts with collecting used plastic bottles and ends with producing end products. Sorting, compressing, crushing, producing and heating is the major steps.

At first, the recycling process starts with collecting plastics from bin. Then a truck collects this waste plastics. Then it transport to the recycling center, after that the bottles put into a block then it comprose into blocks with pressure. After that the block send to the machines for crushing. Then next the crush plastics are send for washing.

After that the process begins with, producing plastic pellets. Then the plates are send for heating. In this process the pellets shapes into raw material. At the last part the plastics are ready for producing all kind of plastic products again. This was the process of recycling plastic bottles.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, but the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the transformation. While you identified the nine steps, the summary is a bit repetitive. To improve, focus on grouping the stages logically (e.g., collection, processing, and manufacturing) rather than listing them sequentially. The description of the process is accurate, but it would benefit from more precise vocabulary to describe the changes in the state of the plastic, such as 'shredded' or 'melted', rather than just 'crushing' or 'heating'.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is repetitive and mechanical. You rely heavily on 'Then' and 'After that' to start almost every sentence, which makes the flow feel disjointed. To achieve a higher band, try using a wider variety of transition words and phrases, such as 'subsequently', 'following this', 'once the process is complete', or 'in the final stage'. Additionally, ensure that pronouns and referencing are used more effectively to link ideas between sentences.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You use simple verbs like 'collects', 'put', and 'send' throughout the text. There is an attempt to use technical terms like 'plastic pellets', but the overall range is limited. To improve, incorporate more precise terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'compressed into blocks', 'granulated', or 'raw material conversion'. There are also some minor errors in word form, such as 'comprose' instead of 'compressed' and 'crush plastics' instead of 'crushed plastic'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally hinder clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('the bottles put into', 'the block send', 'the pellets shapes') and incorrect passive voice construction ('the crush plastics are send'). While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focus on mastering the passive voice, as it is essential for describing processes, and ensure consistent verb tense usage.

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

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