Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The process diagram depicts how the plastic bottles recycled by different stages . At a glance , sorting process shows how a reused plastic separates from others materials .
To begins with process , first there is a dustbin where all the throwable products are collected . after that a waste collector vehicle comes and it takes all the waste from the dustbin . Moreover , then the dumped waste goes to the recycling center it separates all recycled material from one time material . After collecting material it compressed in a block ant it goes under crushing by two heavy crusher to get plastic pellets. However, it washed then goes for heating and a raw material generated from this process .Finally raw material used for various purposes .
Overall, after all process completed we can make products like bottles ,bags , pencils , clothes that can be recycled more and more time.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, from collection to the creation of raw materials and final products. However, the description is somewhat superficial. For instance, the transition from 'recycling center' to 'crushing' is described in a way that lacks clarity regarding the specific sorting or cleaning stages shown in the diagram. While the main features are identified, the response would benefit from a more detailed explanation of the transformation steps, such as the specific role of the 'sorting' phase versus the 'crushing' phase. The overview provided at the end is functional but could be more effectively integrated into the introduction or as a separate summary paragraph.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into three short paragraphs, which provides a basic structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'To begins with process' and 'Moreover, then' are used incorrectly, which disrupts the flow of information. Referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the sentence 'After collecting material it compressed in a block', where the subject is missing. While there is a logical progression from the start to the end of the process, the lack of sophisticated linking words and the awkward phrasing make the text feel disjointed in places.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive. The student relies on basic terms like 'process', 'material', and 'waste'. There are several instances of word-choice errors, such as 'throwable products' instead of 'recyclable waste' or 'disposable items', and 'one time material' instead of 'non-recyclable waste'. The phrase 'ant it goes under crushing' contains a spelling error ('ant' instead of 'and') and an awkward collocation. To reach a higher band, the student needs to use more precise terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'shredded', 'processed', 'converted', or 'manufactured'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the reader's understanding. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement ('sorting process shows', 'it washed'), missing articles ('goes to the recycling center'), and incorrect verb forms ('To begins with', 'it compressed'). The sentence structures are mostly simple, with few attempts at complex sentences. When complex structures are attempted, they are often faulty, such as 'the plastic bottles recycled by different stages'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas and periods throughout the text.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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