Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-26

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)

This diagram illustrates the information about the process for recycling plastic bottles.

What stands about the given data is that there are nine steps to complete this process. It starts from collecting bottles and ends on producing and products.

The first step is to collect plastic bottles and load into a truck. The next work is to transport it to recycling Centre where the sorting of bottles is done. Than it compressed into certain shape like blocks which is done by heavy machine. After that it sent for crushing where these blocks put into machine and then dip the waste into water.

After washing the plastic it sent to a heavy machine where it produced into plastic pellets. And then the pellets heated at certain temperature to form raw material. After this the next step is collecting raw material into boxes which are sic in numbers. The final step contain two methods first it produced into plastic bottles or lunch boxes for children and the second is produce into t-shirts, bags, or pencils.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, from collection to the final products. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the process as a whole. While the steps are identified, the explanation of the transformation stages (e.g., 'dip the waste into water', 'produced into plastic pellets') is slightly underdeveloped and lacks the precision required for a high-band response. To improve, ensure you provide a more cohesive summary of the entire cycle in the introduction and use more precise terminology to describe the technical stages of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical (e.g., 'The first step', 'The next work', 'After that', 'After this'). There are also issues with referencing; for instance, 'it' is used frequently without a clear antecedent, making some sentences difficult to follow. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that pronouns clearly refer back to the intended nouns would significantly enhance the flow and logical progression of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'next work', 'certain shape', and 'heavy machine' are imprecise. There are also some errors in word choice and form, such as 'sic in numbers' (likely meaning 'six') and 'produced into' (instead of 'processed into' or 'manufactured into'). To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more specific technical vocabulary related to industrial processes and avoid repeating simple verbs like 'produced' or 'done'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. While there are attempts at complex sentences, they are often marred by grammatical errors, such as 'Than it compressed' (should be 'Then it is compressed') and 'the next step is collecting raw material into boxes which are sic in numbers'. There are frequent errors in verb tense, subject-verb agreement, and article usage (e.g., 'at recycling Centre'). These errors are noticeable and occasionally cause the reader to pause, though they do not completely impede communication.

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

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