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 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the recycling process. You have provided a clear overview and followed the sequence logically. However, to reach a higher band, you should aim to make more explicit comparisons or highlight key features more effectively. For instance, noting the transition from raw material to finished goods as the final stage is good, but the description remains somewhat descriptive rather than analytical. The inclusion of the 'recycling loop' at the end is a positive observation that adds depth to your summary. Ensure that all stages are described with equal focus to maintain a balanced report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process easily. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'In the next stage', 'In the subsequent stage', and 'Finally' to signal the progression of the process. While these are effective, the transition between some sentences feels slightly mechanical. The paragraphing is appropriate, separating the introduction/overview from the detailed process steps. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases further to avoid a repetitive structure, as some of your sentences rely heavily on simple temporal markers.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'compressed', 'particles', and 'raw materials' accurately. The language is generally natural and appropriate for a process description. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, with frequent use of 'process', 'stage', and 'bottles'. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise synonyms or technical collocations related to industrial recycling, such as 'shredded', 'granulated', or 'reprocessed'. The current range is sufficient for the task but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and the grammar is generally accurate. You maintain consistent control over verb tenses, which is crucial for a process description. There are very few errors, and those present do not impede communication. To improve, you could experiment with more complex sentence structures, such as using passive voice more strategically to emphasize the process rather than the actor (e.g., 'The bottles are then transported' is good, but you could vary this with 'Once collected, the bottles undergo a sorting phase'). Overall, the control is solid.

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