Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The diagram illustrates the recycling process of plastic in various ways.

Overall , peoples throw the waste plastic material like bottles in Garbage. Collecting by the trucks and process by several methods in Factories . that converted into the usable Product for instance lunch boxes, Clothes , recycled Bags , Water Bottles etc.

In the beginning of the process of making waste plastic into usable material .One Person sorting the right and wrong plastic bottles , then compressed by machines . Next process was Crushing into fine microplastic and washing them . Plastic pellets throw from the heating machine for getting raw material.

After getting the raw material , the last process was begin. From the Raw Material so many product were formed and create everyday Products.

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AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the task. While the student identifies the main stages of the recycling process, the description is fragmented and lacks the necessary detail to provide a comprehensive summary. The overview is underdeveloped, and the response ends abruptly mid-sentence, indicating an incomplete attempt. To improve, the student must ensure all stages of the diagram are described with sufficient detail and that the response meets the length requirement to allow for a full explanation of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks a clear logical progression. While there is an attempt to use sequence markers like 'In the beginning' and 'Next', the paragraphing is ineffective, and the transition between ideas is often disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes inaccurate, such as the abrupt shift between the introduction and the body paragraphs. The incomplete nature of the final sentence further disrupts the flow of information. To improve, the student should focus on using a wider range of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'process', 'material', and 'product'. There are several instances of awkward word choice and incorrect collocations, such as 'peoples throw' instead of 'people dispose of' and 'Plastic pellets throw from' instead of 'Plastic pellets are extruded from'. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, but it lacks the precision and variety required for higher bands. Expanding the range of verbs and nouns related to industrial processes would significantly enhance the quality of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement ('One Person sorting', 'process was begin'), article usage, and sentence structure. The writing relies mostly on simple sentences, and attempts at more complex structures are often faulty or incomplete. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas. To improve, the student needs to focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring that verbs are correctly conjugated and that sentences are complete and grammatically sound.

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

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