Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-22

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 how plastic bottles are recycled step-by-step.

Overall, the process contains 9 stages to recycle the plastic bottles. first, plastic bottles are picked carefully and turned into useable products.

In the initial step, plastic bottles are choosed for recycling. Afterward they are taken to recycling truck and this truck will take those plastic bottles to recycling centre for sorting. when they are taken to this centre they are compressed into blocks. subsequently, those blocks are crushed by using machine, in which also involves washing.

In the sixth step, they goes through producing plastic pallets. Afterward those pallets are heated to form a raw material. In the eight stage raw materials are produced fully, and then it is ready to produce various kinds of products. This process keep repeating to recycle plastic bottles.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified the main stages of the process, the description is quite brief and lacks the necessary detail to fully develop the report. You have provided a basic overview, but the lack of length means the task is only partially addressed. To improve, ensure you describe each stage of the process with more precision and include a more comprehensive summary of the overall flow. The current response is too sparse to fully satisfy the requirements of an Academic Task 1 report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'In the initial step', 'In the sixth step', 'In the eight stage'). The logical progression is present, but the transitions between sentences feel a bit forced. To improve, try to use a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect your ideas more naturally. Additionally, ensure that your referencing (e.g., 'those blocks', 'this centre') is clear and consistent throughout the text to improve the flow of information.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but remains quite basic. You rely on simple terms like 'picked', 'taken', and 'produce', which limits the sophistication of your writing. There is little attempt to use less common or topic-specific vocabulary related to industrial processes. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology such as 'collected', 'transported', 'processed', or 'manufactured'. Expanding your range of synonyms and using more academic collocations will help demonstrate a better command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There are several grammatical errors that affect the clarity of your writing. For instance, 'plastic bottles are choosed' (should be 'chosen') and 'they goes through' (should be 'they go through'). You rely mostly on simple sentence structures, and the attempts at more complex sentences contain errors. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice, which is essential for describing processes. Proofreading for basic tense consistency and pluralization will also help to reduce the frequency of errors and improve your overall accuracy.

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

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