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 diagram illustrates the different stages for recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, it is a renewable process that consists of nine steps include throwing, loading, sorting, compressing, crushing, pellets formation, heating, raw material transformation and ending up at producing end products.

Initially, beginning with the throwing of plastic cans into the bin after usage, and trash is collected by garbage truck. The sanitation worker is separating and place these bottles into carton then this will lead to compressor where bottles are compressed into blocks. These blocks are crushed by passing into the crusher and this is followed by washing. Furthermore, machine is used to produce plastic pellets and these pellets are heating to transform into raw material.

Finally this raw material are in the form of stacked placed one above the other. This source material is used for various purposes either for making clothes, color pencils, polythene bags or disposal plastic bottles and boxes. These things can be utilized by humans and whole process continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all stages of the recycling process, from collection to the final production of new items. You have successfully identified the main features and provided a logical summary. However, the overview is slightly mechanical, listing the steps rather than synthesizing the process into a cohesive summary of the cycle. To improve, ensure you focus on the 'main features'—such as the transformation from waste to raw material—rather than just listing every single step. The description of the final products is accurate, but the overall summary could be more analytical to reach a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized logically, following the chronological order of the diagram. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Furthermore', and 'Finally' to guide the reader. However, the paragraphing is underdeveloped; the entire body of the process is contained within one long paragraph. Splitting the process into two distinct stages (e.g., collection/preparation and processing/manufacturing) would improve the structure. Additionally, some transitions are slightly repetitive or mechanical, which affects the flow of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'renewable', 'compressor', 'transformation', and 'raw material'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'throwing of plastic cans' (which is unnatural) and 'pellets are heating' (should be 'heated'). The use of 'disposal plastic bottles' is also incorrect; 'disposable' is the appropriate adjective. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise technical terms related to industrial processes would enhance your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('this raw material are', 'these pellets are heating') and missing articles ('machine is used', 'ending up at producing'). While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the process, they are frequent enough to limit the score. Focusing on proofreading for basic agreement and article usage will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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