Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-01

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 given man maid process chart represents the process for recycling plastic bottles and making other products.

Overall it is crystal clear that there are 9 steps to complete this process first one garbage the bottles and least one is producing the products.

At a fleeting glance, initially it tends to throw the plastic bottles in dustbin and secondly when the dustbin full of bottles and other garbage then a truck come in street or roads the collects the bottles in big bin. Third step used to sorting the bottles from others particles. Fourth step basically help to compress the large amount of bottles to a small size.

After making the blocks it goes to crushing between large blades and washing came out of it.

Moving further, in sixth step the washing of crushing bottles inserted into machine to make the plastic pellets. Followed by this plastic pellets come in contact of heat which make the raw materials by heating process. The raw materials collected by heating process will converted into new bottles or polythene or pens and lunch box respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, from collection to the production of new items. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the transformation process. While the student identifies the nine steps, the explanation of the middle stages (crushing and washing) is slightly disjointed. To reach a higher band, the response should focus more on the logical flow of the process rather than simply listing steps. The inclusion of 'man maid' (man-made) and the informal tone in the introduction and overview detract from the academic register required for this task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is often repetitive or unnatural, such as 'first one', 'secondly', 'third step', and 'fourth step'. These act as a mechanical list rather than a cohesive narrative. The transitions between paragraphs are somewhat abrupt, and the referencing (e.g., 'the washing of crushing bottles') is occasionally unclear, making the progression of ideas feel slightly disjointed. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between stages would significantly enhance the coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and academic tone expected at higher levels. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice errors, such as 'man maid' instead of 'man-made', 'garbage the bottles' used as a verb, and 'washing of crushing bottles'. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on basic descriptors. To improve, the student should focus on using more precise terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'compressed', 'processed', 'converted', or 'manufactured', and avoid informal expressions like 'at a fleeting glance'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'a truck come in street' (subject-verb agreement), 'the washing of crushing bottles inserted into machine' (missing articles and passive voice errors), and 'the raw materials collected by heating process will converted' (incorrect verb form). Punctuation is also inconsistent. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar and sentence construction prevents the response from reaching a higher band. More attention to verb tenses and article usage is necessary.

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

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