Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

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 disposal of used bottles in a recycling bin and ends with the production of new products from recycled plastic.

At the beginning of the process, people deposit the waste bottles into the bin, and then the waste management vehicle takes the bottles and transports them 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 compression. Compressed plastic moves through a crusher to convert it into tiny pieces.

In the subsequent stage, palstic fragments are then washed and transferred to a machine, which converts the shattered pieces of plastic into pellets. Moreover, the pellets are heated to shape raw material for products. Finally, raw materials are converted into useful products like bottles, shirts, and other items.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all stages of the recycling process, from the initial collection to the final product creation. The overview is clear and identifies the total number of stages, which is a good way to summarise the process. The information is logically presented, and the main features are highlighted. To reach a higher band, you could improve the 'comparison' aspect by grouping stages more effectively or describing the transformation of the material with more technical precision, such as mentioning the physical state changes (solid to pellets to raw material) more explicitly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a logical progression of steps. The use of cohesive devices such as 'At the beginning', 'Next', 'In the subsequent stage', and 'Finally' helps the reader follow the sequence of events easily. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different phases of the process. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between ideas is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'deposit', 'transports', 'compressor', and 'shattered'. There is one spelling error ('palstic'), which is a minor slip. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task, it is somewhat functional. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise technical collocations related to industrial processes, such as 'automated sorting', 'granulated', or 'extruded'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. To improve, you could vary your sentence structure further by using more passive voice constructions (e.g., 'The bottles are then transported...' instead of 'the waste management vehicle takes the bottles'), which is standard for describing industrial processes.

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

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