Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

First step show in the diagram we throw the plastic bottels into dustbin. The second diagram show the govt cargo truck collect the plastic waste from dustbin to truck . The thrid diagram show there is a person who sort the wastage of plastic bottels put in correct box and other parts like is not related to plastic into other box. The four diagram show sorting plastic bottels compressing into blocks. The five box show compressing blocks crusing into small pieces and wash with water so the all dust and other parts are removed. The sixth diagram show the washing plastic bottels into production machine. The machine show the pieces convert into pellets. The seven diagram show which pieces convert into pellets now its going to heating area where pellets convert into in raw material. The next diagram show the raw material convert into

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. Furthermore, the description is incomplete, ending abruptly mid-sentence ('The next diagram show the raw material convert into'). While the response attempts to follow the process chronologically, it lacks an overview or summary of the main features, which is essential for Task 1. The description is overly simplistic, merely listing steps rather than synthesizing the information. To improve, you must ensure the response is complete, includes an overview, and provides a more analytical summary of the process rather than a step-by-step narration.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response lacks paragraphing and relies on a repetitive, mechanical structure ('The first step...', 'The second diagram...', 'The thrid diagram...'). This creates a list-like effect rather than a cohesive report. There is a lack of logical progression or linking devices to connect the stages of the process. The text ends abruptly, which further disrupts the coherence of the response. To improve, you should group related stages into paragraphs and use a wider range of cohesive devices (e.g., 'subsequently', 'following this', 'once the process is complete') to guide the reader through the stages of the recycling process.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is very limited and repetitive. You frequently use basic verbs like 'show' and 'convert' without variation. There are also several spelling errors, such as 'bottels' instead of 'bottles' and 'thrid' instead of 'third'. The phrasing is often unnatural, such as 'govt cargo truck' and 'wastage of plastic bottels'. To achieve a higher band, you need to use a more varied range of vocabulary appropriate for describing a technical process, such as 'collect', 'sort', 'compress', 'shred', and 'manufacture', and ensure accurate spelling throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The grammar is consistently weak, with frequent errors in subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'The first step show', 'The second diagram show') and missing articles. Sentence structures are simple and repetitive, lacking the complex forms required for higher bands. There are also issues with word order and preposition usage, such as 'compressing into blocks' and 'wash with water so the all dust... are removed'. The incomplete final sentence also demonstrates a lack of control over sentence structure. You should focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and attempting to combine simple sentences into more complex, compound structures.

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

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