Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-24

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 pictures represents the procedure for recycling plastic objects . 3 R’s are very crucial which means reduce , reuse and recycle that helps the environment clean .

First of all , individuals throw garbage in dustbins . After that , vehicle carry wasted materials which are taken in recycling centre. Then , sorting things one by one . Furthermore, plastic bottles are compressing into blocks which are crushed by machines . Afterwards, these objects are washed in container as well as producing plastic pellets in machine .Also , heating pellets to

form raw material .

Moreover , raw things are ready for making various objects which are used in homes as well as other places . Again , these plastic materials are thrown after usage . After that , this process is repeated again and again .

In conclusion, recycling is very beneficial for our surrounding which refreshed the soil .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, but it lacks a clear overview of the process as a whole. The introduction includes unnecessary information about the '3 R's' which is not present in the diagram, and the conclusion is somewhat generic. While the main steps are identified, the description of the process is quite mechanical and lacks the synthesis required for a higher band. To improve, ensure you provide a clear summary of the overall process in the introduction and focus strictly on the information provided in the diagram without adding external opinions or general knowledge.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response uses basic cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'After that', and 'Furthermore'. However, the flow is somewhat disjointed, and the paragraphing is not effectively used to group the stages of the process logically. The transition between sentences feels repetitive due to the reliance on similar linking phrases. To improve, try to vary your cohesive devices and group the stages of the process into distinct phases (e.g., collection, processing, and manufacturing) to create a more logical progression throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'sorting things one by one' and 'raw things' are imprecise. There are also some minor errors in word choice, such as 'refreshed the soil', which does not accurately describe the environmental impact of recycling in this context. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise, topic-specific vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'collection', 'sorting', 'shredding', and 'manufacturing', and avoid using informal or vague language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the writing. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'The pictures represents', 'vehicle carry') and article usage (e.g., 'in recycling centre'). The sentence structures are mostly simple, and there is a lack of complex sentence forms. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Additionally, try to incorporate more complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions, which are highly appropriate for describing industrial processes.

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

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