Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The diagram illustrates the information regarding how plastic bottles are recycled.

Overall, it is evident that the recycling process consists of several sequential stages beginning with the plastic bottles collection stage and culminating in production of variety of products.

Initially, the first stage commences with the collection of used plastic from recycle bin. Subsequently, in the second stage, this used plastic is transported by vehicle from collection area to recycling centre where it is sorted out to separate the good plastic from waste in the third stage. Thereafter, sorted plasrtic is compressed in to blocks in the fourth stage before the fifth stage during which these blocks are passed through crushing by the heavy machiner, then these are washed. Following this, washed plastic material is passed through the additional processing stages during which it is converted to pellets that are heated to form raw material. In the concluding stage, this raw material is used for the synthesis of final products such as febrics, plastic bags, disposible boxes and bottles and stationery which are now ready for distribution/use.

In short, plastic recycling procedure constitutes a series of systematic steps in which each step is essential for the completion of final product.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all stages of the recycling process, from collection to the final production of goods. You have provided a clear overview and followed the sequence logically. To reach a higher band, ensure you avoid listing every single step in a mechanical way. Instead, try to group related stages (e.g., collection and transport, processing and cleaning, manufacturing) to provide a more analytical summary. While you mentioned the final products, a more detailed comparison or grouping of these outputs would have strengthened the response. Overall, the task is well-addressed with a clear focus on the main features of the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a body paragraph detailing the process, and a brief concluding summary. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Subsequently', 'Thereafter', and 'Following this' to guide the reader through the stages. However, the paragraphing is slightly unbalanced; the body paragraph is quite dense. Breaking the process into two distinct paragraphs—perhaps one for the initial collection/sorting and one for the transformation/manufacturing—would improve the flow and readability. Referencing is generally clear, though the transition between some sentences feels slightly repetitive due to the reliance on 'stage' terminology.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'sequential', 'culminating', 'synthesis', and 'distribution'. There are some spelling errors, such as 'plasrtic', 'febrics', 'disposible', and 'machiner', which slightly detract from the professional tone. Additionally, some collocations could be more natural; for instance, 'passed through crushing by the heavy machiner' is a bit awkward. To improve, focus on using more precise verbs and nouns related to industrial processes and ensure careful proofreading to eliminate minor spelling slips that occur throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You show control over passive voice constructions, which is appropriate for describing a process (e.g., 'is transported', 'is sorted out', 'is compressed'). There are occasional grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'production of variety of products' (missing an article) and 'passed through crushing' (which could be phrased more naturally as 'crushed by heavy machinery'). Punctuation is generally functional, though some sentences are quite long and could benefit from more precise comma usage to improve clarity. The majority of your sentences are clear and error-free enough to ensure smooth communication.

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