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 plastic moves 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

You have successfully identified the main stages of the recycling process and provided a clear overview. The response covers all parts of the task, from the initial collection to the final product. However, the description could be improved by incorporating more comparative language or highlighting specific transitions more effectively. While the sequence is logical, the summary of the process is somewhat descriptive rather than analytical. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly highlight the key features of the process, such as the transformation from physical waste to raw material, rather than just listing the steps sequentially.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You have used some cohesive devices such as 'In the beginning', 'Next', 'In addition', and 'Moreover' to guide the reader through the process. However, some of these transitions feel a bit mechanical or repetitive. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the flow between the stages could be smoother. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that the connection between the stages is more fluid, avoiding a list-like structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'recycling plant', 'compressor', 'crusher', and 'raw material'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'useful products of daily life', which is a bit wordy. The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task, but it lacks the sophistication and precision required for a higher band. To improve, try to incorporate more precise technical terms or collocations related to industrial processes to demonstrate a wider and more flexible range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is clear, there are some grammatical issues, such as 'the waste management vehicle takes the bottles and moves the bottles into the recycling plant', which is slightly repetitive. There are also some minor errors in sentence construction, such as 'Moreover, heating the pellets to form raw material for products', which is a sentence fragment. To achieve a higher score, focus on using a wider variety of complex structures and ensuring that all sentences are grammatically complete and error-free.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.