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.

At 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 it 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 shape raw material for products. In the end, raw materials convert into useful products like bottles, shirts, and other items.

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 from collection to the final product. To reach a higher band, ensure you include more specific details from the diagram, such as the mention of 'heat' or the specific types of materials mentioned in the final stage. While you have covered the process well, a more analytical approach—perhaps highlighting the transformation of the material at each stage—would strengthen the response. Overall, the task is addressed clearly and effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The use of cohesive devices such as 'At the beginning', 'Next', 'In addition', and 'In the end' helps guide the reader through the process. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary the sentence structure and use more sophisticated linking phrases to connect the stages of the process more fluidly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different phases of the recycling cycle.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'recycling plant', 'compressor', 'crusher', and 'pellets'. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'useful products of daily life', which could be more concise. The vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for the task. To achieve a higher score, incorporate more precise technical terms or collocations related to industrial processes, such as 'raw material processing' or 'reprocessed into'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally accurate, there are some minor errors, such as 'heating the pellets to shape raw material', which is a sentence fragment. Additionally, 'raw materials convert into' would be better expressed in the passive voice as 'raw materials are converted into'. Despite these minor slips, the meaning is always clear, and the errors do not impede communication. Increasing the variety of complex structures would further enhance this score.

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

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