Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-02

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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the proces for recycling platic bottles.

Overall, it is a cyclical process, beginning with the throwing of plastic bottles and ending up in making a valuable articles, which are again thrown in a bin.

Initially, individuals throw an unused plastic bottle in a garbage box, which is then transported to the recycling center. In a recycling center, bottles are sorted by workers in the correct order, which is then passed by compressing process, where it is compressed into blocks. Once this stage is completed, it is crushed and then washed in a respective container.

In the next stage, the crushed particles are passed in a machine for producing plastic pellets. Furthermore, these pellets are heated to form raw material, and this raw material is kept in an organized way when then used for producing end products such as clothes, pencils, plastic water bottles, and lunch boxes. Finally, these articles are being used are again thrown away in a trash bin

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all stages of the recycling process, from the initial collection to the creation of end products. The overview is clear, identifying the cyclical nature of the process. However, the description of the stages is somewhat mechanical and lacks a more analytical approach to the 'main features'. For instance, the transition from 'raw material' to 'end products' could be described with more precision regarding the transformation involved. The response is accurate in its reporting of the diagram's sequence, but it could benefit from more sophisticated synthesis of the information provided to reach a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding sentence. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'In the next stage', and 'Finally' helps guide the reader through the process. However, some transitions are slightly repetitive or mechanical, such as 'which is then passed by' and 'when then used'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the stages of the process. To improve, the student should aim for a more varied range of linking words and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'it', 'these') is always clear and precise.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'cyclical process', 'recycling center', and 'raw material' used correctly. There are some spelling errors, such as 'proces' and 'platic', which are minor but noticeable. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited; the student relies on basic verbs like 'throw', 'passed', and 'used'. To achieve a higher score, the student should incorporate more precise, topic-specific vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'processed', 'converted', 'manufactured', or 'transformed', to demonstrate a wider and more sophisticated lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies. For example, 'ending up in making a valuable articles' contains errors in article usage and prepositional phrasing. The phrase 'these articles are being used are again thrown away' is grammatically awkward and confusing. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and word order in complex sentences. Increasing the frequency of error-free complex sentences and focusing on accurate punctuation and preposition usage would significantly improve the grammar score.

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