Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-27

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 diagram illustrates the step by step recycling processes for plastic bottles.

In step one, the plastic, the plastic bottles are picked from the dustbin and the picked bottles are the loaded in the truck to is transported to a sorting center where it is sorted. Progressively, the sorted plastics bottles then are packed into a big chamber and they are being compressed. From here, they goes for crushing through the crusher.

furthermore, the crushed plastic bottles are then transferred where they are processed into a refined plastic pellets. Lastly, the pellets are moved into a heating chamber where the pellets are melted and are finally processed and molded into raw material used for production of end products like shirts, clothes, pen, bottles, boxes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, as it is only 124 words long. This significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the description of the process. While the student identifies the main stages of the recycling process, the lack of length results in a failure to provide a comprehensive overview or sufficient detail. The response is under-developed, and the summary of the process is quite basic. To improve, the student needs to expand on the description of each stage, perhaps by adding more detail about the equipment or the physical changes occurring at each step to ensure the 150-word threshold is met.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response uses some basic cohesive devices such as 'In step one', 'Progressively', 'From here', and 'Lastly' to sequence the information. However, the paragraphing is poor; the entire response is essentially one block of text, which hinders the logical flow. The progression of ideas is mechanical rather than fluid. To achieve a higher band, the student should use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that the text is divided into clear, logical paragraphs—typically an introduction, a body paragraph detailing the process, and a brief concluding summary if applicable.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is somewhat repetitive and limited. Phrases like 'the plastic, the plastic bottles' and 'the picked bottles' show a lack of lexical variety. The student uses basic terms such as 'picked', 'loaded', and 'moved'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the general meaning, it lacks the precision and range expected for higher bands. There are also minor issues with word choice, such as 'refined plastic pellets' (pellets are usually the refined product themselves). To improve, the student should incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to industrial processes and avoid repeating the same nouns.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the writing. Examples include 'the plastic bottles are picked... and the picked bottles are the loaded in the truck to is transported', which contains redundant words and incorrect verb forms. There is also a subject-verb agreement error in 'they goes for crushing'. The sentence structures are mostly simple or contain errors when attempting more complex constructions. To improve, the student needs to focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring correct verb tenses and eliminating redundant words. Increasing the variety of complex sentence structures while maintaining accuracy is essential for a higher score.

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

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