Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-30
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 5.0)
The given process chart illustrates the process for recycling plastic bottles:
Firstly, garbbage is thrown in dustbin, then the garrabage is transported to the truck, after this the garrabage is sent to recycling centre for the process of sorting, subsequently, the garbage is compressed into blocks then the waste material is crushed after this the plastic pellets are produced subsequently, pellets are heated to form raw material afterwards, raw material is packed subsequently, the end products are produced.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, reaching only 78 words. This significantly impacts the task achievement, as the description of the process is overly simplistic and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the stages shown in the diagram. While the response attempts to outline the steps, it fails to provide a clear overview or highlight the main features of the process. Because the response is substantially under-length, it cannot be considered a fully developed report, resulting in a low score for task achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text is presented as a single, long, run-on sentence, which makes it difficult to follow. While the student attempts to use transition words like 'firstly', 'then', and 'subsequently', the overuse of these connectors in a single block of text creates a mechanical and repetitive flow. There is no paragraphing, which is essential for organizing a process description. The lack of logical grouping of the stages means the progression is not clearly managed, leading to a disjointed reading experience.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is very limited and repetitive. The student uses the word 'garbage' repeatedly, which is not the most precise term for recyclable materials. There are also spelling errors, such as 'garbbage' and 'garrabage'. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to describe a technical process, relying on basic verbs like 'sent', 'produced', and 'heated'. To improve, the student needs to incorporate more specific terminology related to industrial recycling processes and demonstrate a wider range of synonyms to avoid repetition.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The grammatical structure is extremely limited, consisting almost entirely of a single, long, comma-spliced sentence. This demonstrates a lack of control over sentence boundaries and punctuation. There is no evidence of complex sentence structures or varied grammatical forms. While the basic passive voice ('is transported', 'is compressed') is used correctly in some instances, the overall lack of sentence variety and the reliance on run-on structures significantly hinder the quality of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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