Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-05
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 5.0)
The process chart gives information about process for recycling plastic bottles and various steps shows in the picture.
Overall, there are various steps plastic bottles are recycled. First step is people put garbage in the dustbin. Second step is garbage truck collect the garbage. Third step is garbage van go to the recycling centre: Sorting.
Furthermore, fourth step is compressing the garbage and make a block. Step five is block go to the crushing machine and garbage block crush and wash and next step wash garbage go to the producing the plastic pellets after crushing garbage go to the heating pellets to from raw material. 8th step is garbage is convert in raw material. 9th step is raw material convert to make many products like bag, t-shirts, plastic bottles and plastic products and other.
Moreover, after use products make garbage and put in the dustbin and this steps is recycl.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, but the description is overly simplistic and relies heavily on a repetitive, list-like structure. While you have identified the key steps, the lack of a clear overview or synthesis of the process prevents a higher score. The description of the final stages, such as 'heating pellets to from raw material' and '8th step is garbage is convert in raw material', is confusing and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the transformation. To improve, focus on grouping related stages together rather than listing them step-by-step, and ensure the technical aspects of the process are described with greater clarity and precision.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised in a very mechanical way, relying on 'First step', 'Second step', 'Third step', etc. This repetitive use of numbering makes the flow feel unnatural and simplistic. While there is a basic logical progression, the lack of varied cohesive devices and the absence of clear paragraphing (the response is essentially one long block of text) hinder the overall coherence. To improve, use a wider range of linking words such as 'subsequently', 'following this', or 'once the process is complete', and divide your report into logical paragraphs: an introduction, a body paragraph for the collection/sorting stages, and a body paragraph for the manufacturing stages.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You frequently use basic terms like 'garbage', 'step', and 'make', which do not demonstrate the range required for a higher band. There are also issues with word formation and collocation, such as 'producing the plastic pellets' and 'heating pellets to from raw material', which are grammatically awkward and imprecise. To improve, try to use more specific terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'processed', 'manufactured', 'converted', or 'transformed'. Avoid repeating the same sentence structures and vocabulary throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The grammar is characterized by frequent errors in sentence structure, verb forms, and articles. For example, 'various steps shows in the picture' should be 'various steps are shown', and 'garbage van go to the recycling centre' lacks proper subject-verb agreement. There is a lack of complex sentence structures; most sentences are simple and follow a repetitive pattern. Punctuation is also inconsistent. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and the use of passive voice, which is essential for describing processes. Practice combining simple sentences into complex ones using relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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