Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-07

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 7.5)

The diagram illustrates the process of recycling plastic bottles, from their disposal to the production of new items.

Overall, the recycling process consists of nine stages, beginning with the collection of used plastic bottles and ending with the manufacture of new products. The main stages include collection, sorting, processing, and the production of recycled materials.

Initially, consumers place used plastic bottles into designated recycling bins. These bottles are then collected by a recycling truck and transported to a recycling centre At the facility, the bottles are carefully sorted, with recyclable items separated from unsuitable materials. The selected bottles are subsequently compressed into large blocks before being crushed into small pieces. The crushed plastic is then thoroughly washed to remove any impurities.

Following the cleaning process, the plastic fragments are processed into small pellets. These pellets are heated and melted to produce raw plastic material, which is then stored for manufacturing purposes. In the final stage, the recycled raw material is used to produce a variety of new products, including plastic bottles, food containers, clothing, shopping bags, and stationery, thereby completing the recycling cycle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively covers all stages of the recycling process as depicted in the diagram. You have successfully identified the main features, starting from the initial collection to the final production of new items. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the process. The information is well-selected and logically presented, ensuring the reader understands the sequence of events. To reach a higher band, you could focus on making more explicit comparisons or highlighting specific transformations between stages, such as the change in state from solid bottles to pellets, which would add depth to your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression from the beginning to the end of the process. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different phases of recycling. You have employed a range of cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Following the cleaning process', and 'In the final stage', which help guide the reader smoothly through the text. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural. The structure is coherent, and the relationship between the different stages is well-maintained throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process accurately. Terms such as 'designated', 'compressed', 'impurities', and 'manufacturing purposes' are appropriate and demonstrate a good level of control. The vocabulary is precise and fits the context of a technical process description well. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors. To improve further, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or synonyms to describe the physical changes in the plastic, which would demonstrate a wider and more flexible lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'The crushed plastic is then thoroughly washed to remove any impurities.' Punctuation is generally accurate, although there is a missing period after 'recycling centre' in the third paragraph. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses is consistent throughout the description of the process. The grammar does not impede communication at any point.

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

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