Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-09
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)
This diagram shows how plastic bottle are recycled.There are nine necessary steps in diagram.First in the diagram show a person is throw plastic bottle into the recycle bin.Then truck collect all recycle bin and thrown into the recycling center.In center the plastic bottles is recycling for sorting.After sorting the bottles is compressed into the blocks.In step five the blocks are crushed into the small pieces.
The pieces is washed into the water for free from dust.After this step, the pallet machine is used to produce pallets from the pieces of plastic.Then pallets is heating to form raw material.Then raw material is packed into the small cottons.In last step the raw material is used to producing different thing like clothes ,shirts and other substances.
These steps are taken to recycle the plastic bottles into products.The main feature of recycling is the sorting and producing pallets. If these steps are not taken the plastic bottles is not recycled.The relevant steps is making blocks and crushing.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all stages of the process, which is a positive aspect. However, the description is quite mechanical, simply listing steps rather than synthesizing the information or highlighting key trends. While the prompt asks for a summary and comparisons, the response lacks a clear overview or a logical grouping of the stages (e.g., collection, processing, and manufacturing). The final paragraph attempts to identify 'main features' but does so in a way that feels disconnected from the process flow. To improve, you should aim to group the stages into logical phases and provide a more cohesive summary of the entire cycle rather than just a step-by-step list.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is somewhat repetitive. You rely heavily on simple sequencing words like 'First', 'Then', and 'After this step', which makes the flow feel mechanical rather than natural. While the information is generally easy to follow, the lack of varied cohesive devices and the somewhat disjointed nature of the sentences hinder the overall flow. To reach a higher band, try to use a wider range of linking words and phrases to connect the stages more fluidly, and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive, often relying on basic terms like 'things', 'substances', and 'small pieces'. There are also some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'small cottons' (likely meaning cartons) and 'is recycling for sorting'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning of the process, it lacks the precision and range required for a higher score. You should focus on using more specific terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'shredded', 'granulated', 'processed', or 'manufactured', to demonstrate a better command of the language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'plastic bottle are', 'bottles is compressed', 'pieces is washed') and article usage. The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with very few attempts at complex sentences. While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of basic grammatical errors impacts the readability of the response. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and try to incorporate more complex sentence structures, such as using passive voice (which is appropriate for process descriptions) and relative clauses to combine ideas.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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