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 process of how plastic bottles are recycled.

Overall, the process involves nine stages, beginning with the collection of used plastic bottles and ending with the production of new products. A complex stage of the whole process is the crushing of the plastic blocks.

Initially, the process begins with the collection of used plastic bottles, and then these bottles are transported to a recycling centre through large vans. In the next stage, these bottles are sorted manually and placed in the right bins. After this, the sorted bottles are compressed into large blocks for crushing.

In the subsequent stage, these huge blocks are crushed into tiny particles through a machine. Next, these finer particles are washed in a container before being processed into the next step.

Then, these finer particles are passed into another machine to produce plastic pellets. Further, these pellets are heated at a certain temperature to produce raw materials. The raw materials are organised and stacked. Finally, in the last stage, bags, bottles and stationery are produced using the raw material. After using these products again, they are recycled, and this process is repeated.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all stages of the recycling process, from collection to the production of new items. You have provided a clear overview and followed the logical sequence of the diagram. To reach a higher band, ensure you highlight the most significant features or comparisons rather than just listing every step sequentially. For instance, noting that the process is cyclical or identifying the transformation from waste to raw material would add depth. The summary is accurate and addresses all parts of the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'In the next stage', 'subsequent stage', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through the process. The paragraphing is appropriate, separating the initial collection and sorting from the technical processing stages. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, using terms like 'compressed', 'particles', and 'raw materials'. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it is somewhat repetitive, particularly the frequent use of 'process' and 'stage'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise synonyms or process-related verbs to enhance the sophistication of your writing. The current range is adequate for the task but lacks the variety required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and your control of punctuation is generally sound. There are no major grammatical errors that impede communication. To achieve a higher score, you could experiment with more varied complex structures, such as using passive voice more consistently to describe the industrial process (e.g., 'the bottles are transported' is good, but you could vary this with 'once transported, the bottles undergo...').

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

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