Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-04
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 information about the process of recycling plastic bottles is demonstrated by the man made process chart.
Overall, it is crystal clear that there are several steps included in this process chart. However, it commence with collecting water bottles and culminates with producing end products.
To begin with, the bottles need to be collected and the transported. In the further step, the plastic bottles which are transported must be reached the Recycling Centre : sorting. In the next step, the recycling bottles should be compressed in to blocks. In the following step, the compressing bottles need to be crushed .
Moving towards the rest of the information, the crushed plastic ought to be produced plastic pellets and then heating pellets to form raw material is ready. In the last stage, the raw material is ready for produced new products such as bottles, lunch boxes, pencils, clothes as well as bag for carried things.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, from collection to the creation of end products. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the process as a whole. While the key stages are identified, the summary of the process is quite basic. To improve, you should focus on grouping the stages more logically and providing a more sophisticated summary of the transformation process. The response addresses the prompt, but the lack of detail in explaining the transition between stages limits the score. Ensure you clearly highlight the main features rather than just listing the steps sequentially.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay uses basic cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'In the next step', and 'Moving towards'. While these help to sequence the information, the flow is somewhat repetitive and mechanical. Paragraphing is present, but the structure is quite simplistic. The progression of ideas is logical, but the connection between sentences could be smoother. To achieve a higher band, try to vary your linking words and phrases to avoid a 'list-like' feel. Referencing is generally clear, but the overall structure would benefit from more sophisticated transitions that link the stages of the process more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'in the further step' and 'the compressing bottles' show a lack of precision and control over word forms. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'man made process chart' and 'bag for carried things'. To improve, you should aim to use more precise terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'shredded', 'processed', or 'manufactured'. Expanding your range of verbs and nouns will help you describe the stages with greater clarity and sophistication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. Examples include 'the transported' (should be 'transported'), 'must be reached' (should be 'must reach'), and 'compressed in to blocks' (should be 'compressed into'). There is a reliance on simple sentence structures, and attempts at more complex constructions often result in errors, such as 'the raw material is ready for produced new products'. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and the passive voice, which is essential for describing processes. More attention to sentence construction and proofreading for basic errors is necessary.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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