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 demonstrates the process use for recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, the process start from searching the plastic bottles from garbage dumps, and load on the truck and delivered toward the factory, where the main process start. In factory bottles undergoes from sorting process in recycling center, where it compressed into blocks and send for crushing in plastic cutter machine. Then The crushed plastic undergoes from washing process to clean the extra dust and germs from plastic.

Furthermore, the next procedure start from changing crushed plastic into plastic pellets in the machine. Then the Pellets set on a high heat temperature to change pellets into a raw material. Moreover, the the final process start where raw material convert into several product like cloths, recycling bags and plastic, and this procedure remain constant.

overall, This diagram illustrates the best eco friendly procedure of recycling the waste plastic into a useful product.

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 of the process as a whole. While the key stages are identified, the response fails to highlight the cyclical nature of the process effectively or provide a more sophisticated summary of the transformation stages. The inclusion of personal commentary, such as calling it the 'best eco-friendly procedure,' is inappropriate for an Academic Task 1 report, which requires an objective summary of the provided data rather than an opinion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is often repetitive and sometimes mechanical, such as the frequent use of 'then' and 'the next procedure'. The transition between sentences is occasionally abrupt, and the referencing is sometimes unclear. While there is a logical progression from the start to the end of the process, the lack of variety in linking words and the somewhat simplistic structure of the sentences limit the flow of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the student to describe the stages of recycling. However, there is a lack of precision and variety. Phrases like 'searching the plastic bottles' and 'extra dust and germs' are somewhat informal or imprecise. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'load on the truck' (should be 'loaded onto trucks') and 'set on a high heat temperature'. The range of vocabulary is limited, and the student relies on basic terminology rather than more descriptive or technical terms appropriate for a process diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the process start', 'bottles undergoes') and article usage (e.g., 'in factory', 'in recycling center'). The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. When complex structures are attempted, they often contain errors, such as 'where raw material convert into several product'. Punctuation is generally functional, but the overall control of grammar is inconsistent, preventing the response from reaching a higher band.

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