Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The process diagram illustrates how plastic bottles are recycled.

Overall, the nine-stage process is cyclic, beginning with the segregation of plastic bottles by individuals into large container and ends with the production of different goods containing plastic.

The process starts with the placement of plastic bottles into a large container, which is then collected by bin lorries. Afterwards, it has been transported to a processing plant where the bottles are sorted by hand and been placed into the designated space. At step 4, the bottles are compressed into blocks before undergoing mechanical treatment.

Furthermore, the blocks are crushed well and the resulting fragments are washed in a liquid before being treated by machine. The substances are added into a machine to produce plastic pellets which are then flamed to produce raw materials. This can be used to manufacture different goods containing pencils, shirts, and many more, and the process commences again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all stages of the recycling process, from collection to the production of new goods. The overview is clear and identifies the cyclic nature of the process. However, the description of the final stage is slightly inaccurate; the text mentions 'pencils' and 'shirts' as examples of goods, which are not explicitly shown in the diagram, leading to a slight over-generalization. To reach a higher band, ensure that all details provided are strictly supported by the visual information provided in the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a body paragraph describing the process, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'Afterwards', 'At step 4', and 'Furthermore' are used to guide the reader through the sequence. However, the transition between the final steps could be smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate for a short report, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, using terms like 'segregation', 'mechanical treatment', and 'raw materials'. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'flamed' to describe the heating process, which is not the most precise term in this context. The range is sufficient to convey the process clearly, though it lacks the more sophisticated, technical collocations that would elevate the response to a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical inconsistencies, such as 'it has been transported' (should be 'it is transported' for a process description) and 'been placed' (lacks the auxiliary verb 'are'). Additionally, 'containing pencils, shirts' is slightly awkward phrasing. While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede the overall understanding of the process. Increasing the accuracy of passive voice constructions would improve the score.

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

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