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)

This given diagram illustrated the process of recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, this process consist of 9 different stages such as collecting bottles, taking them in recycling center, shorting, compressing, grinding up, washing, heating, and producing new products.

First of all, individuals throw the waste bottles in recycling bin, after that, these waste go to the recycling center where they kept in two different containers by manual process. After this process is finished, they compress those chosen into blocks, they grind up these blocks into small particles.

After washing them in water filled container, they go in a plastic pellets machine where, they come in producing plastic pallets. Then they undergo through a heating process so that it can convert in raw materials. At the end of process, by using this material to make different things such as clothes, bottles, boxes and pens

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While the main stages of the recycling process are identified, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the transformation from waste to raw material. The summary of the process is accurate, but the under-length nature of the response means that the information is not fully developed. To improve, ensure that you provide a more detailed explanation of each stage and reach the required word count to fully address the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into a logical sequence, moving from the initial collection to the final product. However, the paragraphing is insufficient; the entire body of the response is essentially one block of text, which hinders readability. While some cohesive devices are used, such as 'First of all', 'after that', and 'at the end of process', they are sometimes used repetitively or mechanically. The flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a distinct focus.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'shorting' instead of 'sorting' and 'producing plastic pallets' instead of 'pellets'. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on basic verbs like 'throw', 'kept', and 'make'. To achieve a higher score, you should incorporate more precise technical terminology related to industrial processes and avoid repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'this process consist of' (subject-verb agreement), 'these waste go' (pluralization), and 'they come in producing' (awkward phrasing). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors suggests a need for more careful proofreading and a better grasp of sentence construction and verb tenses.

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

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