Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The diagram shows the process of recycling plastic bottles into useful products. This process is comprised of long nine steps.
The initial step begins with the throwing of waste plastic bottles into large bins. This step is followed by the collection of waste products from dustbins into large containers with the help of trucks. In the next step waste materials are run into the recycling centre where plastic bottles are differed from non plastic bottles.
The next step is the compressing of plastic bottles into large blocks. These blocks are then run into crushing machines and converted into small particles. These particles are washed with water to remove impurities. Followed by the production of plastic pellets with the help of large machines which throw out them. In the next step heat is used to convert pellets into raw materials. in the end raw materials are used to made a variety of useful products like pencils, clothes, shopping bags, plastic bottles and boxes, in this way this process is continuous.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, from collection to the final production of goods. However, the description is somewhat mechanical, listing steps sequentially without highlighting the most significant features or grouping the process into logical phases (e.g., collection, processing, and manufacturing). While the overview is present, it lacks a clear synthesis of the process. The mention of 'nine steps' is an interpretation that is not explicitly stated in the diagram, which could be considered a minor inaccuracy. To reach a higher band, you should focus on grouping the stages and providing a more analytical summary of how the raw material is transformed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized chronologically, which makes the progression easy to follow. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical. Phrases like 'The next step is' and 'In the next step' are used at the beginning of almost every sentence, which makes the flow feel monotonous. Paragraphing is also insufficient; the entire body of the report is contained within one long paragraph, whereas separating the collection phase from the processing and manufacturing phases would improve the structure significantly. Using a wider variety of linking words would help the text flow more naturally.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'run into the recycling centre' and 'throw out them', which sound unnatural. The term 'differed' is used incorrectly; 'separated' or 'sorted' would be more appropriate in this context. While you successfully use some topic-specific vocabulary like 'particles', 'pellets', and 'impurities', the overall range is limited. Focusing on more precise verbs and collocations related to industrial processes would enhance your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. For example, 'used to made' should be 'used to make', and 'the throwing of waste' is an unnatural noun phrase. There are also issues with punctuation and capitalization, such as the lowercase 'in' at the start of the final sentence. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these minor errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. You should focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice, which is essential for process descriptions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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