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)

In the following diagram ,we can see the process of recycling bottles .First of all the someone throws used waterbottles in a bin .Then a waste truck comes to pickup wastes from the bin. He then carries the waste from bin to the recycling centre. In the recycling centre these bottles are compressed into blocks . Then with the help of machines , these blocks are crushed to waqsh them in water . Then these washed pieces are put in a machine to produce plastic pellets out of these bottle pieces . Then these pellets are heated to form raw materials . When they are heated and become raw material. We can produce many different types of products from these . Such as in fashion industries many products are made from them . They are also used in geometry ,tiffin boxes, plastic bags different companies use bottles from these raw materials

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, from collection to the production of new items. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview or summary of the process as a whole. The information is presented as a list of steps rather than a cohesive report. To improve, you should include an introductory sentence that paraphrases the prompt and a concluding overview that highlights the cyclical nature of the process. Additionally, the final section is slightly vague, as it lists examples of products without clearly linking them back to the diagram's specific output stages.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organised chronologically, which is appropriate for a process description. However, the use of cohesive devices is repetitive and mechanical. Almost every sentence begins with 'Then', which makes the flow of the text feel monotonous. There is a lack of paragraphing; the entire response is written as a single block of text. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'following this', 'once the process is complete') and divide your response into logical paragraphs, such as one for the collection/preparation phase and one for the manufacturing phase.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. You rely on basic terms like 'things', 'products', and 'machines'. There are also some inaccuracies, such as 'geometry' (which is a branch of mathematics, not a product) and 'waqsh' (a spelling error). To improve, you should use more specific technical vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'sorted', 'shredded', 'processed', or 'raw material conversion'. Expanding your range of verbs and nouns will help you describe the stages of the diagram more accurately and professionally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response consists mostly of simple sentences. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'the someone throws', 'pickup wastes', and 'in geometry'. The punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas and periods. To achieve a higher score, you need to demonstrate control over more complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions (e.g., 'The bottles are then transported to the facility'), which are essential for describing processes. You should also focus on subject-verb agreement and article usage to reduce the frequency of errors.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.