Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The diagram illustrates the process by which plastic bottles are recycled and subsequently converted into a usable new products.

Overall, the process consists of nine main stages, beginning with the disposal and collection of the plastic bottles and ending with the production of various new items. It is a cyclical process as the finished products can eventually be discarded and recycled again.

Initially, the used plastic bottles are placed in a designated recycling bins before being collected by recycling trucks and being transported to recycling centres. There, bottles are sorted manually, with recycling items being separated from those items which can’t be recycled. The selected bottles are then compressed into large blocks.

In the next stage, the large blocks are crushed into smaller pieces, which are subsequently washed to remove impurities. The small plastic fragments are then processed into a machine to produce small plastic pallets. The pallets are heated to form raw materials. Finally, this material is used to manufacture new products, including t shirts, food containers, plastic bottles, stationery items.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively covers all stages of the recycling process, from collection to the manufacturing of new products. You have successfully identified the main features and provided a logical summary. The overview is clear, highlighting the cyclical nature of the process. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention all key stages shown in the diagram; for instance, you could have elaborated slightly more on the 'sorting' or 'compression' phases to ensure a more comprehensive report. However, the current response is well-developed and addresses the prompt accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'In the next stage', and 'Finally' are used effectively to guide the reader through the steps. Paragraphing is appropriate, separating the initial collection phase from the mechanical processing and manufacturing stages. The flow is smooth, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The structure is coherent and supports the overall progression of the information well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing a process, such as 'designated', 'compressed', 'impurities', and 'manufacture'. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'recycling items' instead of 'recyclable items' and 'processed into a machine' instead of 'processed by a machine'. While these do not impede communication, refining these collocations would improve the precision of your writing. Overall, the vocabulary is sufficient and allows for a clear description of the technical steps involved in the recycling process.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation is generally good. There are a few minor grammatical slips, such as 'a designated recycling bins' (should be 'designated recycling bins' or 'a designated recycling bin') and 't shirts' (should be 'T-shirts'). These are minor, non-systematic errors that do not affect the clarity of the message. The use of passive voice is appropriate for describing a process, which is a key requirement for this task type.

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

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