Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-03
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 give pictures show that the processing of recycling plastic things.
Overall,In this picture show 8th steps of recycling plastic things .First step is throw plastic things in dustbin and ending step is producing products.
To begin with, In first step person throw plastic things in dustbin . After first step truck is coming and put plastic things for recycled. In third step Waste plastic things and bottles are sorting by persons for next step . before fifth step machines are compress the things into blocks . In fifth step blocks are crushing by machine and after crushing material send into next machine and machine name is plastic pellets . In nest step pellets are ready for heating . In 7th step heating pellets material convert into raw material. before 9th step raw material send too other factory for making new plastic things like as bottles ,bags, pencils, shirts and other things
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, but the description is quite basic and lacks analytical depth. While you identified the key steps, the overview is somewhat repetitive and lacks a clear, professional summary of the process flow. The description of the steps is largely a list of actions rather than a cohesive report. To improve, focus on grouping the stages logically (e.g., collection, processing, and manufacturing) and use more precise language to describe the transformation of materials rather than simply listing what happens at each step.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into a brief introduction and a body paragraph, but the paragraphing is insufficient for a clear structure. While you use some sequencing words like 'To begin with' and 'In third step', the flow is often mechanical and repetitive. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the transition between steps feels disjointed. To improve, use a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that each paragraph focuses on a distinct phase of the process to help the reader follow the progression more naturally.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'things', 'step', and 'machine'. There are several instances of awkward word choice, such as 'plastic things' instead of 'plastic waste' or 'recyclable materials'. The spelling of 'nest' instead of 'next' and the misuse of 'compress' and 'crushing' indicate a need for more precise terminology related to industrial processes. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more specific vocabulary related to recycling, such as 'sorting', 'shredding', 'granulation', and 'raw material'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The grammar is characterized by frequent errors in sentence structure, article usage, and verb tense. For example, 'The give pictures show' should be 'The given pictures show', and 'machines are compress' is grammatically incorrect. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the reliance on simple, error-prone sentences hinders the overall clarity. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice, which is essential for describing processes, such as 'the plastic is compressed' rather than 'machines are compress'.
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