Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the step-by-step process for recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, the whole process consists of nine stages. The process begins with the dumping of bottles in a bin to move to the recycling center and ends with the transformation of waste plastic bottles into useful products of daily life.

In the beginning of the process, people dump the waste bottles into the bin, and then the waste management vehicle takes the bottles and moves the bottles into the recycling plant. Next, in the recycling plant, workers sort the bottles according to condition and quality. The compressor then shapes the bottles into blocks by compressing. Compressed bottles move through a crusher to convert them into tiny pieces.

In addition, tiny pieces of plastic are then washed and transferred to a machine, which converts the tiny pieces of plastic into pellets. Moreover, heating the pellets to form raw material for products. In the end, raw materials convert into useful products like bottles, shirts, etc.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the recycling process. You have provided a clear overview and followed the sequence logically. However, to reach a higher band, you should aim to provide more analytical detail. For instance, instead of just listing the steps, you could describe the transformation more precisely, such as noting that the plastic is converted into 'raw material' through specific physical changes. The summary is accurate, but it lacks a slightly more sophisticated synthesis of the information presented in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion-like final sentence. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'In the beginning', 'Next', 'In addition', and 'Moreover' to guide the reader through the process. While these are effective, the flow is somewhat mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking words and use more sophisticated referencing (e.g., 'Once these are processed, the resulting pellets...') to connect the stages more fluidly rather than relying on a list-like structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, using terms like 'recycling plant', 'compressor', 'crusher', and 'pellets'. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the use of 'bottles' and 'tiny pieces'. To achieve a higher score, you should demonstrate a wider range of synonyms and more precise collocations. For example, instead of 'useful products of daily life', you could use 'consumer goods' or 'manufactured items'. The current range is adequate for the task but lacks the flexibility required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are some minor grammatical inaccuracies. For example, 'In the end, raw materials convert into useful products' would be better as 'raw materials are converted into'. Additionally, some sentences feel slightly fragmented or rely on repetitive structures. You have good control over basic grammar, but incorporating a wider variety of complex sentence forms, such as passive voice constructions or relative clauses, would enhance your score.

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

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